Italy Women opened their 2026 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Serbia Women at a packed Stadio Alberto Picco in Genoa. The Azzurre dominated from start to finish, showcasing their depth and tactical discipline against a stubborn Serbian side. The result puts Italy firmly in control of UEFA Group A, sending a clear message to their rivals.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Italy seized possession and dictated the tempo. Serbia, known for their organized defensive structure, struggled to contain the fluid movement of the Italian attack. The home side’s pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when a precise corner found the head of captain Elena Linari, who powered the ball into the net. Italy doubled the lead before half-time through a clever run and finish from Barbara Bonansea, who latched onto a through ball from Valentina Cernoia.

The second half saw Serbia try to push forward, but Italy’s compact midfield, anchored by Manuela Giugliano, snuffed out any creative spark. The final blow came in the 71st minute when substitute Cristiana Girelli scored with a composed left-footed strike after a swift counter-attack. Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani had little to do, facing only two shots on target the entire match.

Key Moments

• 23’ Goal: Elena Linari heads in from a corner, 1-0.
• 38’ Goal: Barbara Bonansea finishes a clinical one-two, 2-0.
• 71’ Goal: Cristiana Girelli seals it after a counter, 3-0.
• 59’ Miss: Serbia’s Jovana Damjanović saw a shot cleared off the line.

Tactical Story

Italy head coach Andrea Soncin set his team up in a fluid 4-3-3 that frequently shifted into a 3-4-3 in possession, pushing full-backs Lisa Boattin and Lucia Di Guglielmo high. This overloaded the Serbian midfield, forcing them to either drop deep or leave gaps. Serbia attempted to press high early on but were bypassed by quick switches of play from Giugliano and Cernoia. Once Italy took the lead, they dropped deeper to invite pressure and then struck on the break—a tactic that worked perfectly for the third goal.

Standout Players

• Elena Linari: The captain led by example, scoring the opener and organizing the defense with authority.
• Valentina Cernoia: Her vision and passing range created numerous chances; she assisted the second goal.
• Cristiana Girelli (sub): Came off the bench and made an immediate impact with a well-taken goal.

Table and Season Impact

This victory places Italy top of UEFA Group A on three points, level with Switzerland, who also won their opening match. Serbia will rue a toothless display, remaining in the relegation playoff spot. With the top team qualifying directly for the World Cup, Italy’s commanding performance sets a high standard for the rest of the campaign. Next up for the Azzurre is a trip to Croatia in September, while Serbia host Slovenia in a must-win encounter.