Clare Polkinghorne and Australia kicked off Group C play against Italy and fell short to the European side 2-1 after forward Barbara Bonansea’s brace at Stade du Hainut in Valenciennes. In her fourth World Cup appearance, Polkinghorne played all 90 minutes of today’s match.
Australia took the lead in the first half when forward Sam Kerr took a penalty that was initially blocked by Italian goalkeeper Laura Giulliani, but then fired home by the back-to-back NWSL Golden Boot winner from close range.
Italy equalized shortly in the second half when Bonansea stole a ball from Polkinghorne and sprinted forward beating goalkeeper Lydia Williams and sliding the ball into the bottom corner.