2026/27 Serie B Femminile | Santoro’s brace earns Hellas Verona Women their first win of the season
Verona – Hellas Verona beat Cesena 2-1 on Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 Serie B Women.
As for the match itself, the Gialloblù opened the scoring straight away through Santoro. The No. 58 received the ball on the edge of the box from Ketis, controlled it and fired a left-footed effort across goal. Hellas took the lead after just eight minutes.
In the 18th minute, Montesi, in a similar position to the one from which Verona had scored their opener, tried her luck with a left-footed effort, but Seskute was able to make the save.
Verona continued to push forward and came close to doubling their lead in the 20th minute: Vlassopoulou made a run down the right and picked out De Biase, who hit the post with a first-time effort.
Cesena threatened in the 22nd minute with Porcarelli's first-time effort from the edge of the box, but Valzolgher was alert to keep out the central shot.
Following a goal kick by the Romagna side, Fischer took advantage of an error by Zito and broke forward down the right. As the Bianconera player raced towards goal, Cuciniello attempted to stop her with a sliding challenge. Referee Passarotti deemed the challenge a foul and awarded Cesena a penalty. Gaia Milan made no mistake from the spot to level the score in the 26th minute.
After one minute of added time, the first half ended 1-1.
The Gialloblù regained the lead with the first chance of the second half. De Biase controlled a difficult ball on the edge of the box and picked out Santoro's central run. The No. 58 got past the goalkeeper after a double deflection and completed her brace to make it 2-1 to the Gialloblù.
In the 52nd minute, Valzolgher dealt with a dangerous situation inside the Verona box, with the ball coming close to crossing the line after a scramble in the six-yard box.
Hellas threatened again in the 56th and 64th minutes, with chances falling to Montesi and Casellato respectively, but the Gialloblù were unable to find the back of the net on either occasion.
In the 78th minute, Cesena won a free-kick from a central position. Catelli attempted to catch Valzolgher out with a precise effort, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Verona did everything they could to put the game beyond doubt and came close in the 86th minute, when Santoro met a cross from the left but sent her effort over the bar from close range.
In the closing stages, Montesi also came close to sealing the win, narrowly missing the left post guarded by Seskute.
After three minutes of added time, the match ended 2-1. Verona's next fixture will be on Sunday, 27 September at 4PM, when the Gialloblù will face Brescia Femminile away from home on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Serie B Women.
HELLAS VERONA-CESENA 2-1
Goals: 8' Santoro, 26' Milan, 50' Santoro
HELLAS VERONA (4-3-1-2): Valzolgher; Cuciniello (Corsi from 82'), Zito, Avant (Zaghini from 72'), Crespi; De Biase (Licco from 67'), Ketis, Casellato (Colombo from 72'); Vlassopoulou (Mangiameli from 82'); Montesi, Santoro
Substitutes: Bucci, Peretti, Zang Bikoula, Maffei
Head coach: Vincenzo De Martino
CESENA (3-4-1-2): Seskute, Catelli, Santoro, Battilana; Ciano (Ferin from 74'), Giai (Gallina from 56'), Brignoli, Milan (Compiani from 56'); Porcarelli; De Muri, Fischer (Ciabini from 54')
Substitutes: Mazzocchi, Groff, Cancellieri, Fabbri, Toni
Head coach: Roberto Rossi
Referee: Francesco Passarotti (AIA Mantova Section)
Assistant referees: Francesco Colucci (AIA Padova Section), Davide Carraretto (AIA Treviso Section)
NOTES. Booked: 17' Giai, 20' De Biase, 49' Avant, 68' Crespi, 90' Mangiameli