France made a press release of their Euro 2022 Group D opener as Grace Geyoro netted a first-half hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Italy.
France’s demolition job began early when Geyoro grabbed her first purpose contained in the opening 10 minutes and Marie-Antoinette Katoto made it two simply three minutes later.
Practically the entire first-half operating – barring a few tame Italian assaults – got here from France they usually ended the half with three targets in eight minutes, together with two extra from Geyoro for the primary hat-trick on the event.
Italy dug in after the break, whereas France couldn’t sustain the brilliance which was on present within the first half and Martina Piemonte’s second-half comfort gave the Italian followers one thing to cheer.
Italy had the primary alternative within the opening minutes when Cristiana Girelli’s headed move despatched Barbara Bonansea by way of one-on-one however her effort was fantastically saved by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
The tide quickly shifted and a primary spell of French dominance started shortly afterwards when Geyoro completed from shut vary to make it 1-0 within the ninth minute.
France quickly had a second when Sakina Karchaoui noticed her cross parried by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani into the trail of Katoto and he or she couldn’t miss from inside the world.
The relentless, environment friendly and bullish French assault confirmed no indicators of letting up and moments after Delphine Cascarino had shanked vast with the purpose gaping, she made up for it with a rifled effort from outdoors the world.
Les Bleues seemed like they might rating with each assault, this time Geyoro raced by way of on purpose earlier than sitting Giuliani down and rounding her to faucet into an empty web.
Geyoro accomplished her first-half treble to place the sport past any doubt earlier than the half-time whistle with an emphatic volley previous the helpless Giuliani.
Italy’s night time threatened to worsen when captain Sara Gama was proven a pink card by referee Rebecca Welch for a late problem on Geyoro, just for the choice to be diminished to yellow by VAR.
With pleasure at stake within the second half, Italy actually confirmed extra and had been rewarded for his or her efforts when substitute Piemonte looped in a header from contained in the field, however the injury had already been carried out as France made it 15 straight wins. The opposite recreation within the group had earlier ended in a 1-1 draw between Iceland and Belgium.
