France make a strong impression at the European Championship in the first half against Italy | sport

France especially made a strong impression in the first half. It was already 5-0 at halftime The Blues† Paris Saint-Germain’s Congolese-born midfielder Grace Geyoro (25) was the surprising star with three goals in the first half, at minutes 9, 40 and 45. She thus came to eleven goals in fifty international matches for France.

Forwards Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG) Delphine Cascarino (Olympique Lyon) were the other scorers, at minutes 12 and 38.

Three years ago, France and Italy both reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup. Host nation France lost 2-1 to eventual world champions USA. Italy then lost 2-0 to losing runners-up the Netherlands.

Italy managed in the second half that the disgrace did not become even greater. In the 63rd minute, veteran captain Sara Gama appeared to be shown a straight red card after going wild in a duel, but was saved by VAR and allowed to return to the pitch after being shown a yellow card. At eleven against eleven, Italian substitute Martina Piemonte (AC Milan) made it 5-1 fifteen minutes from the end, like a small bandage on the wound.

Earlier in the evening, Belgium and Iceland (1-1) already the first match of group D, where the opponent of Orange will come out in the quarter-finals if the reigning European champion passes the group stage.