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FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019: Barbara Bonansea’s last minute goal seals victory for Italy

Barbara Bonansea headed in a corner kick in the second half of the injury time and handed a 2-1 win to Italy over Australia in Valenciennes on Sunday.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019: Barbara Bonansea’s last minute goal seals victory for Italy

Italy's midfielder Barbara Bonansea (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the decisive goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Australia and Italy, on June 9, 2019, at the Hainaut Stadium in Valenciennes, northern France. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP)

Barbara Bonansea headed in a corner kick — her second goal of the match — in the second half of the injury time and handed a 2-1 win to Italy over Australia in Valenciennes on Sunday.

This made Italy’s return to FIFA Women’s World Cup a memorable one. It is to be noted that although Italy are a powerful side in men’s football, they returned to FIFA Women’s World Cup after 1999.

Bonansea, who strengthens the attack of Juventus, additionally scored her first goal for her country going past Australian defender Clare Polkinghorne and scoring a goal in the 56th minute.

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The last goal was also a testimony to her remarkable swiftness on the football pitch as she outjumped Australia’s Sam Kerr which put her in a good position to score.

Interestingly, one of Bonansea’s goal was struck invalid after replays evidently showed that it was, in fact, an off side.

Sam Kerr initially helped Australia take the lead but led by Bonansea’s brilliance in the field, Italy made a superb comeback to snatch victory from the hands of the Aussie women.

Australia play Brazil next on 13 June, Thursday, while Italy meet Jamaica on 14 June, Friday, in their World Cup campaigns

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