WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK: FIFA shut down Morocco's press conference, players wear neck collars to prevent concussion... and a sinkhole swallows up a piece of Auckland
- There were goals galore during Monday's Women's World Cup matches
- Earlier today Italy beat Argentina 1-0 as Germany thumped Morocco 6-0
- FIFA shut down Morocco's presser early, while players sport concussion collars
It's been goals galore at the Women's World Cup on Monday with Italy, Germany and Brazil all getting their campaigns off to a winning start.
Cristianoa Girelli scored an 87th-minute header to give the Italians a dramatic 1-0 victory over Argentina, to go level with Sweden on three points at the top of Group G.
Meanwhile, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's Germany put six goals past Morocco with Alexandra Popp opening the scoring with a brace.
Brazil followed suit, with Ary Borges scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament to guide her side to a 4-0 victory against Panama to maintain their flawless record of having won all of their opening games at Women's World Cups.
But there was plenty to take in elsewhere around the tournament, with Mail Sport bringing you the things you might have missed from day five of the tournament.
![It was a busy day of action at the Women's World Cup with Cristiana Girelli (left) scoring in the 87th minute to see Italy secure a dramatic 1-0 win against Argentina](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559901-12332343-image-a-99_1690216569392.jpg)
It was a busy day of action at the Women's World Cup with Cristiana Girelli (left) scoring in the 87th minute to see Italy secure a dramatic 1-0 win against Argentina
![Alexandra Popp (left) scored a first half brace to inspire her side to a 6-0 win against Morocco](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559875-12332343-image-a-100_1690216575910.jpg)
Alexandra Popp (left) scored a first half brace to inspire her side to a 6-0 win against Morocco
![Ary Borges (middle) struck three times against Panama to score the first hat-trick of the tournament and help her side to a 4-0 win in their opening match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559871-12332343-image-a-101_1690216581674.jpg)
Ary Borges (middle) struck three times against Panama to score the first hat-trick of the tournament and help her side to a 4-0 win in their opening match
FIFA halt Morocco's pre-match press conference
FIFA shut down Morocco's pre-match press conference before their game with Germany after a BBC reporter asked captain Ghizlande Chabbak if any of her team-mates were gay.
'We know that gay marriage is illegal (in Morocco), are there any gay players in the team, and what is it like for them,' the reporter asked.
The question was quickly shut down by a FIFA moderator, who reminded them that they were not there to discuss politics.
Morocco became the first Arab country to compete at the World Cup but were beaten 6-0 by Germany on Monday.
Nouhaila Benzina, who was an unused substitute, will become the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women's football tournament should she get on the pitch in their next games.
![Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina (pictured) could make history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women¿s football tournament should she play in the upcoming games](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559855-12332343-image-a-102_1690216587483.jpg)
Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina (pictured) could make history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women's football tournament should she play in the upcoming games
Players wear neck collars to prevent concussion
Viewers may have spotted that some players have been wearing unusual neck collars in matches.
Canada's Quinn and Costa Rica's Rocky Rodriguez both wore a 'q-collar' in their teams' opening matches.
The q-collar is a horse-shaped piece of silicone tasked with protecting the brain from the inside to combat the prevalence of brain injuries in contact sports.
Women are twice as likely to suffer concussion than men, with some research suggesting shorter and narrower neck muscles could be part of the risk factor.
The collar is designed to prevent excessive brain movement within the skull, thus reducing the risk of injury.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559861-12332343-image-a-117_1690216971812.jpg)
Canada's Quinn (pictured) is one of several players to be seen wearing a q-collar around her neck, a special piece of equipment that is designed to help reduce the risk of concussion
Giulia Dragoni becomes the youngest player to feature at a World Cup
Italy's 16-year-old forward Giulia Dragoni became her country's youngest player to play at a World Cup after starting their 1-0 victory over Argentina.
Dragoni's nickname, ironically, is 'mini Messi'. In contrast, Argentina's 39-year-old goalkeeper Vanina Correa had already made her international debut before Dragoni was born.
![Giulia Dragoni (front-middle), 16, is the youngest player to ever start at a Women's World Cup. She featured today for Italy in their triumph against Argentina](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559851-12332343-image-a-103_1690216591181.jpg)
Giulia Dragoni (front-middle), 16, is the youngest player to ever start at a Women's World Cup. She featured today for Italy in their triumph against Argentina
Sinkhole swallows pieces of Auckland
Auckland has not had the best of starts to this World Cup.
A fatal shooting took place in New Zealand's capital city on the opening day of the tournament before the country's team was evacuated from their hotel on Saturday due to a nearby arson attack.
On Monday, a rapidly growing sinkhole was causing concern as it swallowed pieces of College Hill Road, which is just a six minute drive from New Zealand's hotel.
The hole was said to be 1.6 metres deep, 3.5m long and 2.5m wide, and tunnels under the road for about 1.5m.
Bia Zaneratto finishes sublime team move
We may have only had one round of fixtures but Brazil's fourth goal against Panama could prove to be the best the tournament will see.
A fantastic piece of team play, which involved tricks and flicks, saw Bia Zaneratto finish in style.
![Bia Zaneratto (left) finished off a spectacular move during Brazil's 4-0 win against Panama,to poke home their third goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/17/73559247-12332343-image-a-105_1690216604029.jpg)
Bia Zaneratto (left) finished off a spectacular move during Brazil's 4-0 win against Panama,to poke home their third goal
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