Sports · Football · 8 hrs ago
Italy take 2-0 lead into World Cup playoff return against Belarus
Italy beat Belarus 2-0 in the first leg of their women’s World Cup qualifying playoff, played in Tbilisi.
Italy now host the return match in Florence, at the Franchi stadium.
The tie is a semifinal in the playoffs for a place in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Italy will advance to the playoff final if they hold on to their lead; Belarus must overturn it to progress.
The final will be against Finland or Serbia; Finland won their first leg 3-1.
Italy coach Andrea Soncin expects Belarus to play more aggressively and says his team must be solid and more effective in attack.
Italy take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their women’s World Cup playoff semifinal against Belarus.
The first-leg goals came from Piemonte and Polli in the second half.
The return match is scheduled at Florence’s Stadio Artemio Franchi, with kickoff at 18:15.
Italy are seeking a place in the playoff final for a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
- Who
- Italy’s women’s national team and Belarus’s women’s national team.
- What
- Italy carry a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their World Cup playoff semifinal.
- When
- The match is scheduled for 18:15 on the day after ANSA’s October 12 report.
- Where
- Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy.
- Why
- The winner will advance to the playoff final, which will decide a place at the 2027 World Cup.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy beat Belarus 2-0 at a neutral venue in Tbilisi, with goals from Piemonte and Polli in the second half.
ANSA reported that Italy would face Belarus in the return leg the following day in Florence.
- First-leg score
- Italy 2-0 Belarus
- First-leg venue
- Tbilisi, at a neutral venue
- First-leg scorers
- Piemonte and Polli
- Return-leg venue
- Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
- Return-leg kickoff
- 18:15
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What people are saying
Qualification has to be built step by step, and tomorrow’s match is a decisive step towards the World Cup.
We have to play without calculating, with the aim of enjoying ourselves and achieving the goal that matters to everyone.