Despite the VAR check, this time NO PENALTY is awarded.

Makes a change.

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 26 mins

26 mins

Italy 1-0 China

Oh hello.

A VAR check for a possible penalty for dangerous play.

Image source, Getty Images

Postpublished at 25 mins

25 mins

Italy 1-0 China

China are actually growing into the game.

Wang Shuang stoops to meet a cross and is caught on the head by Italy skipper Sara Gama's studs.

That's a painful one.

China do struggle to create chances, the only way they will get back into this game is if Italy give them a freebie at the back.

Image source, Reuters

China have their first corner of the game.

Wang Shuang whips it in, but a poor delivery is headed away at the near post by Valentina Bergamaschi.

Not beating the first player, unforgivable at any level.

China scored one goal in their three group games.

Now they have a huge task on their hands.

Faye White
Former England captain on BBC Two

Giacinti has shown a fantastic attitude since kick-off. All over the pitch already. Gets her reward for all the hard work - this time the goal does count.

It was another time China's defenders put themselves into trouble.

Image source, Reuters

Faye White
Former England captain on BBC Two

That's often the problem with China, giving the ball away. It was a quick look up from Giacinti and that was so close to the opener.

What is Han Peng doing???

The Chinese defender - deep in her own half - gives the ball straight to Valentina Giacinti.

The Juventus striker turns on the angle of the box and sees goalkeeper Peng Shimeng off her line, but her lofted effort sails wide of the far post.

What a let-off for China.

Don't need VAR for that one.

Italy like to work the ball forward as quickly as possible - one, two touches and it is already in the final third.

Valentina Giacinti latches on to a through ball and finishes confidently...but the flag goes up on the AC Milan player.

A yard off.

Image source, Reuters

Great determination shown by Li Ying to win a header ahead of rugged Italy defender Elena Linari.

The Chinese player wriggles into the box and is nudged over from behind by the chasing Linari, but the ref waves play on.

Cannot afford to defend like that nowadays.

Image source, Getty Images

And China do show adventure early on.

The dangerous number 11 Wang Shuang cuts in onto her dangerous left foot, but no team-mate gambles on her cross to the back post.

Faye White
Former England captain on BBC Two

China will be patient in their play to start with. They can play well and against Germany they had some chances.

They will have to be more adventurous in these knockout stages.

Image source, Reuters

China have shown they like to get stuck in in this World Cup and Wang Yan goes in with a high tackle on Italy playmaker Manuela Giugliano.

She gets up to deliver the free-kick which skips through to China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng.

Can't believe Aurora Galli has been dropped to the bench for Italy.

The Juventus player scored one of the goals of the tournament against Jamaica...

Off we go in Montpellier.

All eyes for China will again focus on 22-year-old forward Wang Shuang - nicknamed 'Lady Messi' after Barcelona's highly decorated men's forward Lionel Messi.

Wang, who scored seven goals in 18 games for Paris St-Germain last season, is yet to have a shot at this World Cup and started the tournament as a substitute.

But she remains China's most dangerous player, especially if paired alongside the inventive Wang Shanshan.

Image source, Getty Images

Faye White
Former England captain on BBC Two

Italy have scored seven and conceded two so far. China have scored one and conceded one so the Italians, the way they play and express themselves, will have more of the attacking impetus.

China are a solid defensive unit but they lack in attack and in the creative side of their game.

Image source, getty