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We've gotten early glimpses of what makes England, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands favorites at Euro 2022, but the final fixture of the opening round of matches produced a clear frontrunner Sunday after France stormed to a 5-0 halftime lead on Italy — including a hat trick for midfielder Grace Geyoro — before comfortably seeing out the second 45 in a 5-1 victory at New York Stadium in Rotherham.
France was the heavy favorite to top Group D, but Italy — a quarterfinalist at the 2019 World Cup — figured to provide the sternest test with Iceland and Belgium showing their limitations during a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.
It took Geyoro nine minutes to get her first after some direct play out wide by Kadidiatou Diani forced an error from Italy captain Sara Gama. Geyoro was on-hand to punish the mistake.
Grace Geyoro puts France ahead early pic.twitter.com/3Gkoy0SyzL
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) July 10, 2022
Less than three minutes later, Italy's defense fell apart and failed to track the run of French fullback Sakina Karchaoui. Karchaoui's cross was deflected and then parried by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani straight to the feet of Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
¡Gooooooooool de Francia! ⚽️
Buuuuuuuuuut de l'Équipe de France! ⚽️⏱12' Katoto recibe el balón dentro del área y la pone a guardar para aumentar la ventaja de Francia⚽️2-0 #VeranoDeCampeonas | #Francia | #Italia
¡EN VIVO!
TUDN
https://t.co/iAp61tCLOf pic.twitter.com/a1w5rSoms4— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 10, 2022
In the 38th minute, 25-year-old Lyon attacker Delphine Cascarino made it 3-0 with an unstoppable drive from 20 yards out.
Delphine Cascarino with an absolute BEAUTY‼️
France is rolling! pic.twitter.com/KxaWwSlaDH— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) July 10, 2022
Geyoro got her second in the 40th-minute with a run from midfield that went untracked. Katoto laid it off, and the 25-year-old PSG midfielder drove into the area before dicing and rounding Giuliani with a swivel of the hips.
¡Gooooooooool de Francia! ⚽️
Buuuuuuuuuut de l'Équipe de France! ⚽️⏱40' Geyoro recibe un pase entre líneas, se quita a la portera y entra caminando a la portería4-0 #VeranoDeCampeonas | #Francia | #Italia
¡EN VIVO!
TUDN
https://t.co/iAp61tCLOf pic.twitter.com/Ws93IgfGxl— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 10, 2022
There was still time for Geyoro to complete her hat trick in the first half with an excellently controlled half-volley from 12 yards out.
¡Gooooooooool de Francia! ⚽️
Buuuuuuuuuut de l'Équipe de France! ⚽️⏱44' Geyoro roba el balón, toca para Toletti, se la regresa y la francesa no perdona5-0 #VeranoDeCampeonas | #Francia | #Italia
¡EN VIVO!
TUDN
https://t.co/iAp61tCLOf pic.twitter.com/chT10u2zAe— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 10, 2022
France's only blemish on the evening was the concession of a goal in the 76th minute. Left back Lisa Boattin provided the service and substitute Martina Piemonte got on the end of it.
¡Gooooooool de Italia!
Cabezazo poderoso y las italianas ponen el descuento en el marcador.5-1 #VeranoDeCampeonas | #Francia | #Italia
¡EN VIVO!
TUDN
https://t.co/URq3X6YZ4i pic.twitter.com/eWwTYvFUny— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 10, 2022
Group D action resumes Thursday with Italy playing Iceland in Manchester before France returns to Rotherham to play Belgium.
