Italy started their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win against Argentina. The goal was courtesy Christina Girelli who came on the field as a substitute in the 83rd minute and immediately made an impact. The game, however, will be remembered most for the debut of Italy's 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni.

Nicknamed&nbsp;'Little Messi'&nbsp;by teammates,&nbsp;it was apt as the teen made her debut against&nbsp;football superstar Lionel Messi's country.&nbsp;Dragoni also recently signed with Messi's long-time former club Barcelona from Inter Milan in a two-and-a-half-year&nbsp;deal.

During the match against Argentina, Dragoni showed her class and one of her moves became viral when she got the football ahead by taking it above the head of the opposition player. Have a look at the video here:

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giulia dragoni genia del fútbol mundial <a href="https://t.co/v4zQ01GkMd">pic.twitter.com/v4zQ01GkMd</a>
— nuk 🇫🇷🇧🇷 (@bonmapi) <a href="https://twitter.com/bonmapi/status/1683385871943303168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Dragoni played till the 83rd minute before being substituted by veteran Girelli who eventually took her team home with the lone goal of the match in the 87th minute. With the win, Italy started off their campaign with three crucial points in Group G.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-minnesota-timberwolves-forward-kyle-anderson-obtains-chinese-citizenship-ahead-of-fiba-world-cup-618886">NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson obtains Chinese citizenship ahead of FIBA World Cup</a>

Among other teams in their group, Sweden also won their opening match against South Africa with a 2-1 lead. Italy currently are in second place in their group as they have scored one goal less than Sweden. South Africa and Argentina are in third and fourth place, respectively.

Out of all 32 teams in the World Cup, 30 teams have played at least one match in the tournament. Colombia and South Korea will kick start their campaign Tuesday, July 25 in a Group H match. The top two teams from each of the eight groups will move forward to the round of 16 to start the knockout round of the tournament.

The knockout round starts August 5 with quarterfinals taking place on August 11 and 12. The top four teams will clash for a place in the finale on August 15 and 16 before the winner is decided on August 20.

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Italy started their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win against Argentina. The goal was courtesy Christina Girelli who came on the field as a substitute in the 83rd minute and immediately made an impact.

Italy started their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win against Argentina. The goal was courtesy Christina Girelli who came on the field as a substitute in the 83rd minute and immediately made an impact. The game, however, will be remembered most for the debut of Italy's 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni. Nicknamed 'Little Messi' by teammates, it was apt as the teen made her debut against football superstar Lionel Messi's country. Dragoni also recently signed with Messi's long-time former club Barcelona from Inter Milan in a two-and-a-half-year deal. During the match against Argentina, Dragoni showed her class and one of her moves became viral when she got the football ahead by taking it above the head of the opposition player. Have a look at the video here: giulia dragoni genia del fútbol mundial pic.twitter.com/v4zQ01GkMd — nuk 🇫🇷🇧🇷 (@bonmapi) July 24, 2023 × Dragoni played till the 83rd minute before being substituted by veteran Girelli who eventually took her team home with the lone goal of the match in the 87th minute. With the win, Italy started off their campaign with three crucial points in Group G. Also Read: NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson obtains Chinese citizenship ahead of FIBA World Cup Among other teams in their group, Sweden also won their opening match against South Africa with a 2-1 lead. Italy currently are in second place in their group as they have scored one goal less than Sweden. South Africa and Argentina are in third and fourth place, respectively. Out of all 32 teams in the World Cup, 30 teams have played at least one match in the tournament. Colombia and South Korea will kick start their campaign Tuesday, July 25 in a Group H match. The top two teams from each of the eight groups will move forward to the round of 16 to start the knockout round of the tournament. The knockout round starts August 5 with quarterfinals taking place on August 11 and 12. The top four teams will clash for a place in the finale on August 15 and 16 before the winner is decided on August 20. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FIFA Women's WC: Italy's 16-year-old 'little Messi' makes heads turn in debut against Argentina

La Liga champions Barcelona ensured they will end the year sitting top of the table by strolling to a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, inspired by another superb display from Lionel Messi.

Messi played a pivotal role in Ousmane Dembele opening the scoring against the Galicians in the 10th minute, firing a shot at goal which Celta's Ruben Blanco could only parry at the feet of the French forward, who squeezed the rebound through the goalkeeper's legs.

The Argentine then scored the sixth goal in three La Liga games to stretch his side's advantage on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a pass from Jordi Alba and producing an irresistible finish beyond Blanco just as he entered the area.

Celta had conceded 18 goals in their previous four visits to the Nou Camp and although they fared better in defence this time, they struggled to cause Barca many problems, particularly after Spain international and top scorer Iago Aspas went off injured early in the second half.

Barca leads the standings on 37 points, three ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and six clear of Sevilla who play against Leganes on Sunday.

Real Madrid, who were crowned Club World Cup champions on Saturday by beating Al Ain 4-1, are eight points back from Barca in fourth place but with a game in hand.

La Liga champions Barcelona ensured they will end the year sitting top of the table by strolling to a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, inspired by another superb display from Lionel Messi.

La Liga champions Barcelona ensured they will end the year sitting top of the table by strolling to a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, inspired by another superb display from Lionel Messi. Messi played a pivotal role in Ousmane Dembele opening the scoring against the Galicians in the 10th minute, firing a shot at goal which Celta's Ruben Blanco could only parry at the feet of the French forward, who squeezed the rebound through the goalkeeper's legs. The Argentine then scored the sixth goal in three La Liga games to stretch his side's advantage on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a pass from Jordi Alba and producing an irresistible finish beyond Blanco just as he entered the area. Celta had conceded 18 goals in their previous four visits to the Nou Camp and although they fared better in defence this time, they struggled to cause Barca many problems, particularly after Spain international and top scorer Iago Aspas went off injured early in the second half. Barca leads the standings on 37 points, three ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and six clear of Sevilla who play against Leganes on Sunday. Real Madrid, who were crowned Club World Cup champions on Saturday by beating Al Ain 4-1, are eight points back from Barca in fourth place but with a game in hand.

Barcelona ease past Celta to end year top of La Liga

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes his side remains the team to beat in Spain but admits that victory over leaders Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday is paramount to their title chances.

With millions watching around the world Madrid travel into enemy territory in Catalonia on the back of a 32-game unbeaten run and boast a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

However, despite describing Barca&#39;s last league performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad as the worst of his three-season tenure, Enrique insists the reigning champions have the talent to be considered the best team in the world.

&quot;There are good teams at a high level but none of them are better than us. That is what makes me optimistic,&quot; he said on Friday.

Barca received a huge injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury.

&quot;Iniesta is our captain and a reference point for Barca&#39;s style,&quot; said Enrique.

&quot;It is great news for the person that he is and what he represents as captain.&quot;

Defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba also look set to shrug off injuries to start and Enrique may be able to name his strongest side for the first time since September.

Injuries have been a key factor in the Catalans&#39; worst league start for nine years, but midfielder Arda Turan also claimed they remain the world&#39;s best once they hit top form.

&quot;Barca are the best team and when we play like we know how, we are unstoppable,&quot; the Turkish international told Barca TV.

&quot;I have a very good feeling ahead of the Clasico.&quot;

Madrid high in confidence

Madrid, under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, might be in red-hot form but the former midfield general wants to see his side perform more like they did in swatting aside Atletico Madrid 3-0 two weeks ago than on their last trip to the Camp Nou -- when they registered a shock 2-1 win in April.

&quot;Tomorrow will be totally different,&quot; said the Frenchman.

&quot;Last term we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality.

&quot;I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now.&quot;

Real are not so lucky on the injury front as Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos remain sidelined.

However, the visitors can rely on an on-form Cristiano Ronaldo fresh from scoring five times in his last two outings.

&quot;He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy,&quot; Zidane added.

&quot;He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group.&quot;

The biggest match in club football, which kicks off at 15:15 GMT, is expected to capture an audience of 650 million people worldwide, according to figures released by La Liga.

&quot;I am not going to say it is just another game, it is a very important match, it has a special meaning.... a special taste,&quot; Real president Florentino Perez told AFP.

&quot;No one hides that is has a worldwide impact, it is seen by millions of people across the world, like the World cup final.&quot;

Barca defender Javier Mascherano also made little attempt to play down the significance of the clash.

&quot;Despite there being just three points at stake, like in the rest of the matches, the attention before and after the game makes it a special match,&quot; the Argentine told Barca TV.

(AFP)

Barca received an injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes his side remains the team to beat in Spain but admits that victory over leaders Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday is paramount to their title chances. With millions watching around the world Madrid travel into enemy territory in Catalonia on the back of a 32-game unbeaten run and boast a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga. However, despite describing Barca's last league performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad as the worst of his three-season tenure, Enrique insists the reigning champions have the talent to be considered the best team in the world. "There are good teams at a high level but none of them are better than us. That is what makes me optimistic," he said on Friday. Barca received a huge injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury. "Iniesta is our captain and a reference point for Barca's style," said Enrique. "It is great news for the person that he is and what he represents as captain." Defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba also look set to shrug off injuries to start and Enrique may be able to name his strongest side for the first time since September. Injuries have been a key factor in the Catalans' worst league start for nine years, but midfielder Arda Turan also claimed they remain the world's best once they hit top form. "Barca are the best team and when we play like we know how, we are unstoppable," the Turkish international told Barca TV. "I have a very good feeling ahead of the Clasico." Madrid high in confidence Madrid, under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, might be in red-hot form but the former midfield general wants to see his side perform more like they did in swatting aside Atletico Madrid 3-0 two weeks ago than on their last trip to the Camp Nou -- when they registered a shock 2-1 win in April. "Tomorrow will be totally different," said the Frenchman. "Last term we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality. "I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now." Real are not so lucky on the injury front as Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos remain sidelined. However, the visitors can rely on an on-form Cristiano Ronaldo fresh from scoring five times in his last two outings. "He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy," Zidane added. "He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group." The biggest match in club football, which kicks off at 15:15 GMT, is expected to capture an audience of 650 million people worldwide, according to figures released by La Liga. "I am not going to say it is just another game, it is a very important match, it has a special meaning.... a special taste," Real president Florentino Perez told AFP. "No one hides that is has a worldwide impact, it is seen by millions of people across the world, like the World cup final." Barca defender Javier Mascherano also made little attempt to play down the significance of the clash. "Despite there being just three points at stake, like in the rest of the matches, the attention before and after the game makes it a special match," the Argentine told Barca TV. (AFP)

Desperate Barca primed to end Madrid's unbeaten streak

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