Euro 2022: France put down the mark with demolition of Italy
France kicked off their Euro 2022 campaign in style on Sunday night, beating Italy 5-1 in their opening Group D match.
All five of their goals came in a one-sided first half at Rotherham’s New York Stadium, with Grace Geyoro helping herself to a hat-trick.
Earlier in the day, Belgium and Iceland were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in an entertaining contest in Manchester.
Here, the PA newsroom looks at Sunday’s events at the tournament.
The French make a strong statement
After seeing the likes of England, Spain and Germany open with wins, France, the tournament’s second favourites, set their own mark in emphatic fashion.
Geyoro celebrated her 50th cap in style by opening the scoring against the hapless Italians after just nine minutes before Marie-Antoinette Katoto doubled the lead three minutes later.
Delphine Cascarino added a third with a superb long-range strike in the 38th minute before Geyoro made it two in a row before the break.
France eased off the gas in the second half and Martina Piemonte claimed a consolation for Italy with a header 14 minutes from time. Italy had Sara Gama sent off for a reckless challenge but her red card was overturned by a VAR review.
An honor even in Manchester
Iceland and Belgium drew 1-1 at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium in the other game of the group after Berglindar Þorvaldsdóttir’s header was ruled out by Justine Vanhaevermaet’s penalty.
Þorvaldsdóttir made up for a mistake from a penalty kick in the first half when she scored five minutes after the break with a pass from Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir.
Þorvaldsdóttir had earlier calmly shot at goalkeeper Nicky Evrard from the spot after Davina Philtjens’ handball.
Belgium secured a point in an entertaining contest when Reading’s Vanhaevermaet slotted home from 12 meters after a foul on Elena Dhont.
Star attraction
The choice of the Academy Stadium, which holds 4,400 people for the tournament, had drawn criticism from Iceland before the competition, but what it lacked in pitch, those present made up for in atmosphere.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, was one of those who took part in the fun and was pictured enjoying it. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez was also in the audience.
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Next time
July 11
Group A: Austria v Northern Ireland (5pm, St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton)
Group A: England – Norway (20:00, Amex Stadium, Brighton)