USWNT close out 2025 with dominant win over Italy

The last match of the 2025 calendar year has arrived. For the second time this window United States Women’s National Team were taking the pitch against 2025 Women’s Euros semifinalists, Italy. After making quick work of the Italians in their first meeting, USWNT looked to close out the year with another top performance, and more importantly, another win.

While it took them longer than the two minutes it took them in their first meeting, United States were the ones to strike first and strike early. Lily Yohannes put on a great pass in the 20th minute that found Cat Macario on the run and in open space darting into the box. As we said last time, if there’s one thing Macario is going to do, is score, and this was no different. Drawing the keeper off their line ever so slightly, Cat went for the cheeky chip and hit it pure scoring the opener to give USWNT the lead.

If you thought the first goal was a sight to behold, then you were in for a treat on the second score the half. After cutting through the Italian midfield, Alyssa Thompson played a perfect pass to Jaedyn Shaw on the flank that set her free into just enough space to show her creativity. Shaw cut inside as she approached the opposition’s box and unloaded a screamer towards goal that went out of reach of the keeper, and into the back of the net, doubling the United States lead in the 41st minute.

Despite coming into the match having made eight changes from their first meeting, Italy was once again getting outclassed on the pitch. This was not the same aggressive, pressing, in-your-face the moment you touched the ball Italy that we had seen this past summer in the Euros. This was however, looking a lot like vintage USWNT despite missing the famed triple espresso, among other key contributors. United States finished the first half with 64% of the possession, with twice as many shots (4) and twice as many finding their target (2) as their opponents. It was another dominant display and they went into the halftime break with the goals to go with it.

The dominance continued in the second half for United States. Despite not scoring another goal in the opening 25 minutes of the half, it wasn’t for lack of trying. A Lily Yohannes effort and a Cat Macario shot were both called back after finding the back of the net, for offsides and a foul in the build-up, respectively. Italy did get a few more shots together, but nothing that threatened USWNT. The two goals scored in the first half would be enough for United States to see out the win and while they didn’t find the back of the net again, it was clear they were the better of the two teams on the pitch. Now, the team shifts focus to 2026 with the hopes to not only keep their winning ways going, but hopefully start to get a little bit healthier.

How are ya’ll feeling about the win to closeout 2025? Leave us a comment below!