Catarina Macario Double Helps USA Women Beat Italy 3-0

Catarina Macario Double Helps USA Women Beat Italy 3 0
Catarina MacArio 20 of United States scores a goal in the game against Italy Photo by Julio AguilarGetty Images

USA Women beat Italy in a friendly international helped by a Catarina Macario double, while American Samoa made progress towards the World Cup.

Olivia Moultrie got the US off to a perfect start, firing past goalkeeper Laura Giuliani from Rose Lavelle’s cross, as they scored in the first 90 seconds for the fifth time this year.

Macario’s brace in 12 second-half minutes took her tally to six in her last six starts. Sam Coffey set her up for the first, and a Lily Yohannes ball over the top led to her second.

Japan v Canada   Women's International Friendly
NAGASAKI, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 29:
Momoko Tanikawa of Japan celebrates after scoring her teams first goal Photo by Koji WatanabeGetty Images

Japan defeated Canada 3-0 in Nagasaki and took the lead just before half-time, with Momoko Tanikawa scoring after being found by a header from Mina Tanaka.

Six minutes after the restart Tanaka scored a goal of her own from close range, then Tanikawa set up Aoba Fujino to make it 3-0.

American Samoa beat Tonga 3-0 in the Oceania World Cup Qualifying Preliminary Round and will now face the Cook Islands, who won 1-0 over Tahiti i their semi-final, to decide who advances to the group stage.

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