On-song Italy seal semi-final spot

Italy booked their place in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship semi-finals with a match to spare after an exceptional performance accounted for France in Blois.

Second-half goals
The Azzurrine soaked up long periods of pressure but proved more efficient than the hosts in the final third. After Alessandra Barecca's first-half goal had been cancelled out by Eugénie Le Sommer, strikes from Pamela Gueli and Cristina Bonometti sealed the win.

Machart threat
It was Les Bleuettes who were quickly on the attack at the start, however, with Julie Machart, their scorer in the 1-0 win over Spain, latching on to a loose back pass but rolling her shot just wide. The diminutive No11 was a livewire early on, trying her luck from long range moments later only for the volley to fly fractionally wide. After Italy captain Sara Gama had won a series of important challenges at the back, Corrado Corradini's team began to settle, although Sara Penzo had to show sharp reactions to keep out Charlotte Bilbault's first-time shot following Gwenaëlle Butel's craftily-taken corner.

Thunderous shot
Italy's forays forward were few and far between, yet they struck first on 35 minutes. Gueli drifted in from the left, laid a dangerous ball across the box, and after Barecca had challenged France defender Laura Agard, the ball ricocheted off the Italian midfielder and past a stranded Karima Benameur. Stung into action, the hosts ended the half strongly and after Machart's powerful shot had been pushed wide by Penzo, Chloé Mazaloubeaud headed the resulting corner over. Butel signalled France's intentions after the break, unleashing a thunderous strike that hit the outside of the post, then having a hand in the equaliser on 62 minutes. The right-winger's slide-rule pass sent Machart clear and her cut-back found Le Sommer, who steadied herself before burying a low shot past Penzo.

Gueli goal
Any suggestion the teams might settle for a draw were quickly dispelled as Italy sprung back to life. Bonometti was denied by Méline Gérard, who had replaced injured goalkeeper Benameur on 55 minutes, but there was nothing France's substitute could do about Gueli's 70th-minute strike. After racing on to Sabrina Marchese's ball in the right channel, the Italian No11 struck a superb cross-shot high into the top corner. France pressed for an equaliser but were eventually punished on the break as Bonometti dribbled round Gérard and slotted home Italy's third on 90 minutes.