Matteucci: Italy are gaining valuable experience

Italy cruise to a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in Lodz

The Azzurrine have sealed their spot in the last 16 with a game to spare

Coach Matteucci and standout performers Ventriglia and Appiah, spoke to FIFA

A day to remember. That is the perfect way to sum up Italy’s second match at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™. The three points earned against New Zealand, and the way Italy performed, take on even greater significance given their opening victory over the USA and the fact they have already booked their place in the last 16 with a game to spare.

Three goals from the substitutes underline the importance of having strength in depth, as well as coach Nicola Matteucci’s ability to read the game. Italy kept a clean sheet, with their opponents carving out very few opportunities.

A hard-fought game

Yet the Azzurrine had to bide their time until the 78th minute to finally draw first blood in a game that seemed destined to end in a stalemate.

“We’re fully aware that there are no easy games in a tournament of this magnitude. Every team poses different tests, and we knew we would have to break down a low block, with the opposition closing off the passing lanes and overloading the middle of the park,” Matteucci explained to FIFA after the win.

“I think we could have broken the deadlock in the first half, but we’ve got to remember that this is part and parcel of the experience we’re gaining as a team,” the coach said.

Their next match will see them go head-to-head with Japan in what will undoubtedly be another major test for the team, something Matteucci is well aware of: “I think these are massive opportunities for all of us, including the staff and everyone who works relentlessly with us to prepare for these games day and night. We have to keep putting in the hard yards because we can’t afford to become complacent or take our foot off the gas in the next game.”

Strength in depth from the bench

Rosanna Ventriglia and Karen Appiah were the architects of another magical night for Italy. Ventriglia entered the fray in the 73rd minute and broke the deadlock just five minutes after coming on before doubling Italy’s lead another five minutes later.

“I’m absolutely over the moon because this was my debut, my first game at the World Cup, and to make such an impact is fantastic, not just for me but for the team as well,” Rosanna told FIFA.

“It was a tough match, but we managed to break the deadlock, score three goals, get the win and book our place in the last 16,” she continued.

For Ventriglia, the two goals were all the more special given the circumstances, coming at a difficult moment for her after sitting out the opener and for her team, with the match still goalless when she was brought on. But there was one person who was constantly rooting for her and spurring her on to give it her absolute all:

“This brace is for my family. They’ve always supported me through thick and thin. My brother made it to the stadium today as well, so this one is for him too, and especially for him. I was a bit down in the dumps after being left out of the first game, but he lifted my spirits and gave me the strength to come on and give it everything I had. It doesn’t matter how many minutes you get, because you can come on and make an instant impact,” the forward explained.

Appiah’s first international goal was every bit as special, a stunning lob dedicated to the little girl who had spent years dreaming of pulling on the Italy shirt and representing her country.

“I’m ecstatic about the goal and the victory. I’d like to dedicate it to my younger self, the girl who dreamed of and hoped to one day pull on this shirt,” she told FIFA.

Matteucci also highlighted the importance of his timely substitutions and the wealth of options at his disposal: “Having a squad I can rely on is a huge credit to the girls. They work their socks off, which puts me in a position to make changes and adapt as the match unfolds. Today was the perfect example of that,” the coach added.

Another unforgettable night for the Azzurrine, who are making strides in the tournament, growing in confidence and belief with every game.