Italy defeated China 2-0 in the round of 16 clash, as Valentina Giacinti and Aurora Galli scored a goal each in either halves. It was the first time that La Azzure won a knockout stage World Cup match.
Valentina Giacinti drew the first blood in the 15th minute -scoring her first goal in a World Cup with her first shot on target in the competition.
Aurora Galli doubled the Italians' lead early in the second half (49th minute), hereby becoming the player with the most goals (2) from outside the box at this year's World Cup. The strike also meant that all three of her goals at France 2019 have come as a substitute, with no other player managing more than one from the bench so far.
Fighting for the final spot in the last-eight, the Netherlands defeated Japan with a winner coming off in the 89th minute from the spot after Japan dominated after the break. Lieke Martens featured on the scoresheet, and thanks to her brace, the Netherlands progressed to a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time.
Lieke Martens scored the opener as she registered a 16th minute goal - which was her fifth goal against Japan, more than against any other opponent.
After Lieke Martens opened the account for the Oranje, Japan responded bravely - Yui Hasegawa scored the seventh goal for her country, bringing back the 'Nadeshiko' in the match with the equaliser.
However, the Netherlands regained its lead as it was awarded a spot-kick in the 89th minute. Lieke Martens yet again found the net, which made her the outright top goal scorer (3) of the Oranje at the World Cup.
Japan, which clinched glory in the 2011 edition and finished as runners-up in the previous World Cup, was thus handed an early exit on Tuesday. Despite dominating the match in the second half, the Asian powerhouse was unlucky to concede a penalty-kick, which knocked it out of the tournament. The players were seen bursting in tears at the end, however, the Netherlands players consoled the Japanese team.
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