Women’s Under-16: Luxembourg pull away after the break to win 6-2

The final outing for the Titane in the U16 Development Tournament, against Luxembourg, took very little time to catch fire. The Central Europeans threatened first with a one-two between Jorge and Morvilli, dealt with by a low claim from Mastronardi – starting in goal today. At the other end, the first foray brings the lead for San Marino: Terenzi keeps a ball alive which, after ricocheting off Benedettini on the edge of the area, turns into the perfect assist for a delicate chip from Terenzi that brings the crowd at the Acquaviva Stadium to its feet. The match is lively right from the opening exchanges, so much so that in the 5th minute Luxembourg find a driving run that ends in the equaliser. Fine play by Deitrich, who reaches the by-line and crosses into the middle, where a pinball in the area allows Morvilli to force the ball over the line from close range. The Biancazzurrine keep their composure and, pressing high, carve out a chance for Bonciucci, who cannot get enough power on her left-footed lob to beat Schroeder. After the early fireworks the game settles into a more evenly balanced pattern, even if chances are still there. On two occasions Paolini is decisive, reading the play well to cut out Jorge’s dangerous crosses. In between, Yazici wins the ball high up the pitch and immediately looks to release Terenzi, but the pass is just a fraction too strong. Approaching the half-hour, Luxembourg are more clinical: Dietrich takes a chance from a free-kick from long range, and Mastronardi cannot hold it, completing the turnaround for the visitors. The Titane are anything but discouraged and can count on a superb Elisa Terenzi: after lifting the ball over an opponent with a sombrero, she leaves Schroeder no chance with a lob struck to perfection, worthy of the applause it earns. The momentum now swings San Marino’s way and, down the Terenzi-Benedettini channel, they create a chance to go back in front on 34 minutes, but Schroeder makes a crucial save with her feet. The first half still has more drama to come: De Breucker drives forward with the ball at her feet, threading it through for the run of Jorge, who wins the challenge with Carli and rifles his shot under the bar to beat Mastronardi. Just before the interval, Benedettini tries to repeat the free-kick winner from three days ago against Estonia, but this time Schroeder gathers safely at the second attempt. The keeper also deals with a cross-shot from Terenzi which results in a right-footed effort from the edge of the area by Yazici, blocked by the Luxembourg defence. After the restart it is Luxembourg who burst out of the blocks. Dietrich drives through the middle with the ball at her feet, holding off Paolini’s pressure before beating Mastronardi from close range in the 50th minute. Cristina Correia’s side stretch their lead further four minutes later, when Soares’ long ball cuts through the San Marino back line and allows Jorge to cross unopposed; Mastronardi can only palm it out and it falls perfectly for Morvilli’s close-range tap-in, her second goal of the day. Shortly afterwards Yazici has a great chance to score San Marino’s third and put the result back in the balance, but she cannot hit the target with her left foot from the heart of the area after yet another attempted chip by Terenzi. At the other end, substitute Forcellini makes a fine diving save to keep out Jorge’s angled strike, but she can do nothing about Beffort’s curling right-footer, teed up on the corner of the box. Before the end, San Marino threaten again through Yazici, who carries the ball along the edge of the area before sliding it through for Benedettini, just a fraction late to connect. Shortly after, a long ball from Paolini sends Terenzi clear, but she is cramping just as she swings her left foot and the ball drifts wide. The Titane finish with ten players, as Paone – on the bench – is injured. So the final match of the Women’s U16 Development Tournament ends with victory for Luxembourg, while the competition is won by Georgia with maximum points (5-2 against Estonia this morning). The Biancazzurrine, on their official debut in international competition, finish third and write an indelible new chapter in the history of football in San Marino.

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Women’s Under-16, UEFA Development Tournament 2024, DAY 3 | Luxembourg–San Marino 6-2   LUXEMBOURG Schroeder; Weirich (from 69' Ribeiro), De Breucker, Soares Magalhaes, Beffort (from 83' Redzovic); Palazzo (from 83' Cavadini), De Sousa; Jorge Magalhaes (from 69' Dias), Deitrich (from 83' Naffouti), Schmit (from 69' Weber); Morvilli (from 69' Schmitz) Substitutes: Pereira Head coach: Cristina Correia   SAN MARINO Mastronardi (from 57' Forcellini); Maresi (from 57' Moroni), Paolini, Carli, Stifani (from 24' Bianchi); Bonciucci (from 71' Penserini), Yazici, Tamagnini (from 46' Zanotti), Della Valle; Benedettini, Terenzi Substitutes: Paone Head coach: Giacomo Piva   Referee: Alessandro Vandi Assistant referees: Elisa Cecchetti and Mattia Sapigni Fourth official: Yassine Hafidi Scorers: 2', 31' Terenzi, 5', 54' Morvilli, 27', 50' Dietrich, 39' Jorge, 72' Beffort Booked: Soares, Moroni, Ribeiro, Penserini

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