The final group kicked off on Sunday at the 2022 Women鈥檚 European Championship. Group D action saw Belgium and Iceland play to a 1-1 draw, while France emphatically defeated Italy, 5-1.
France trounces Italy
Grace Geyoro scored a first-half hat trick as France put five goals past Italy in the opening 45 minutes, winning 5-1 in their Group D opener at EURO 2022.
Geyoro opened the scoring nine minutes into the match and Marie Antoinette-Katoto doubled the lead three minutes later as Italy鈥檚 lethargic start turned calamitous.
Delphine Cascarino scored in the 38th minute, and Geyoro scored twice more before halftime in the most emphatic half of French soccer in recent memory.
Martina Piemonte scored a consolation goal off the bench for Italy in the 76th minute.
Belgium comes from behind to draw Iceland
On Sunday afternoon, Belgium and Iceland opened their tournaments at Manchester City Academy Stadium. Iceland had the best chance of the first half, when the outstretched arm of Belgium’s Davina Philtjens made contact with the ball in the penalty area. The referee checked the play using VAR, then pointed to the spot. But the penalty – taken by Iceland’s Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsd贸ttir – was quite poor. Keeper Nicky Evrard guessed the right way, dove to save the attempt, and was able to hang onto it.
The teams headed into the break fairly level, each with one attempt on target.
Thorvaldsd贸ttir was able to redeem herself just minutes after the halftime break, when she headed in a cross from Kar贸l铆na Lea Vilhj谩lmsd贸ttir to give Iceland the lead.
But another penalty kick was in the cards on the day, this time at the other end. This time, Gunny J贸nsd贸ttir brought down Elena Dhont, and Justine Vanhaevermaet stepped up to the penalty spot. She sent her penalty down the middle to beat Iceland keeper Sandra Sigur冒ard贸ttir for the equalizer.
Vilhj谩lmsd贸ttir had a chance to win the match late for Iceland, her shot sailed just wide of goal.
The Goals:
- Iceland — Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsd贸ttir (Kar贸l铆na Lea Vilhj谩lmsd贸ttir), 50′
- Belgium — Justine Vanhaevermaet (PK), 67′
— Emily Dulhanty