New series of matches today in the Cyprus Tournament for the second day of the group stage. Italy and North Korea confirmed with a second victory this afternoon while Spain was hooked by Belgium.


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In Group A, Italy again scored a comfortable 3-0 victory against Wales. As against Switzerland, the transalpine players were imposed by three goals of difference with a break made before the break. The three goals of the match were set on set-pieces with each time Manuela Giugliano involved in the various actions.


Italy goes on to Wales


The young midfielder from Brescia did not score, but she was each time on the last pass as on the opening score of Cristiana Girelli in the 18th minute. A free-kick won by Girelli at the edge of the full-axis surface and the opportunity to test a new combination for the selection of Milena Bertolini.

Three Italian players put themselves in an offside position and constitute a mini-wall in front of Laura O'Sullivan's goal. The two-a-side free-kick between Giugliano and Girelli allowed the players to move up and down the Welsh wall, and Girelli put the ball perfectly flush with the left post (18th). The second Italian goal is scored on an indirect free-kick in the area, following a shameless goalkeeper who illegally grabbed the ball in hand.

It follows a free-kick full axis to a few meters from the Welsh goal. Despite the Welsh players massed on their line, Giugliano shifts Girelli who hits in strength and well enough to shake the nets (44th). An advantage to the score that reflects the control of the Squadra Azzura who plays against a Welsh team often regrouped in his last 40 meters.


Giugliano distributed, the Nati has re-entered


This advantage in hand, the second period will be much less lively. At the end of the match, Italy has another opportunity to score after a penalty kick by Benedetta Glionna, the young Juve attacker pushed slightly by the Welsh captain Sophie Ingle (83). On her line Laura O'Sullivan repulses twice the strikes of Daniela Sabatino, in charge of the sentence.

A few minutes later, Italy gets off to a good start with a Greta Adami header that extends a center from Manuela Giugliano on a corner played in two stages (88th). Italy is therefore the only leader of group A in front of Wales and Switzerland which has largely imposed (4-0) against Finland. The Nati sign a wide success with a first goal scored by Alisha Lehmann in the 18th minute. This is her first achievement as well as for Marilena Widmer who scored the second Swiss goal after the locker room (51st).

Lehmann had been tenured especially because of the unavailability of Ramona Bachmann, victim of muscular problems. Involved on the second goal, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic is at the conclusion on the third Swiss goal taking over a long center Lia Wälti came from the right (67th). A goal scored after a corner like the one scored by Vanessa Bernauer with a volley deflection that escapes the Finnish goalkeeper (76th).

The Red Flames did not let anything pass


In Group B, Spain failed to follow a second victory against a team from Belgium who was especially keen to defend. Well organized, the Red Flames delivered a serious game on the defensive plan that left little real opportunities to the ballooning Roja. The best Spanish opportunities are in the second half, with a volley by Mari Paz Vilas deflected on the crossbar by a Belgian defender (74).

Justien Odeurs was also uncompromising against Lucia Garcia (61) and Andrea Pereira late in the game (83). At the final whistle, one could read the satisfaction on the faces of the Belgian players, with the will to take a point after having bowed in opening against the Czech Republic.

Czech players engaged a little earlier against Austria. A meeting where they could not repeat the feat against another team present at the last Euro. Lucie Vonkova's teammates will still have regrets, especially in the first half, when they get a penalty in the 41st minute after a foul by Jasmin Pfeiler on Lucie Vonkova. Kitty against Belgium, Katerina Svitkova sends the ball on the crossbar and Austria is doing without damage.


Zadrazil tipped the scales


Austria also had some opportunities in the first half, but the trigger will come with the entry of Sarah Zadrazil midfield after the break. The player from Turbine Potsdam is on the two Austrian goals scored in three minutes.

On the opening scoring, Zadrazil is served in deep by Sarah Puntigam and in the surface gives a touch to Nina Burger who can conclude (68th). Sarah Zadrazil then delivers a nifty ball over the defense for Laura Feiersinger who is on the back of the defense and avoids the exit of Alexandra Vanickova with a pitched ball (70th).

A crucial entry for Zadrazil and the Czech Republic that will lack efficiency on his few opportunities to return late in the game, including Katerina Svitkova (72). Group B where Spain retain their lead but only one point ahead of Austria and the Czech Republic who will play Monday against La Roja.


A "final" North Korea - South Africa in Group C


Group C will also be entitled to a duel at the top for the last day, between the two unbeaten teams of the group: North Korea and South Africa. The North Koreans won 1-0 against Slovakia with a goal from Kim Phyong-Hwa on the hour of play. A player well known to some young French internationals, since she was one of the scorers at of the final of the U20 World Cup in 2016, won (3-1) against Les Bleuettes.

For its part, South Africa also won 1-0 against Hungary. Thembi Kgatlana had hit the bar in the first match, this time she found the way to the nets (21st) to avoid the Banyana Banyana a second draw in Group C, where they will go to challenge North Korea for the last day of the group stage.