Valentina Bergamaschi (L) of Italy vies with Sherida Spitse of the Netherlands during the quarterfinal between Italy and the Netherlands at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Valenciennes, France, June 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
VALENCIENNES, France, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Italy and the Netherlands had a goalless first-half draw in the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal here on Saturday.
The Dutch side had no changes to line-up which started against Japan in the last round, while Aurora Galli came in instead of Cristiana Girelli for Italy.
Staying on track for respective maiden semifinal appearance at the quadrennial competition, both teams managed few concrete scoring chances in sun-baked Valenciennes, with Italy's best opportunity arriving in the 36th minute, but it was squandered by forward Valentina Giacinti who fired a shot wide.
The Netherlands were awarded a free kick outside the box six minutes later, but Sherida Spitse saw her low shot saved by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.
The winners will face either Germany or Sweden in semifinals.
