Tuesday 09 July 2019, 11:03

When Galli trusted her right foot

  • 'Yaya' Galli’s right-footed rocket was a top strike at the Women’s World Cup

  • She was a standout player for one of the surprise teams in France

  • Vote now for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament

Italy, perhaps the biggest revelation of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, were on course to match their biggest ever win at the competition – a 5-0 defeat of Chinese Taipei in 1991 – when Aurora Galli got an outstretched foot to the ball some 25 yards from goal.

Though already 3-0 up against Jamaica and with a Round of 16 place in the bag, Italy were still pressing. Of the five goals they scored that evening, none came close to matching that of Galli. It was only after much insistence from her coaches that the player came to trust her own powerful shooting, having long shied away from it for fear of "wasting" a goal-scoring opportunity by letting fly from distance.

With everyone telling her to believe in her own ability, she finally heeded the advice, scoring this unforgettable strike on 14 June. To celebrate Galli pointed two fingers towards her eyes, dedicated to her two friends who come to all her games. It is her way of saying: "I know you’re there watching me and I can see you, too."

Does Galli deserve the France 2019 Goal of the Tournament Award for her stunning strike? You decide!