Australia versus Italy will go down in World Cup history, just not the way Matildas supporters would have hoped.

Italy walked away with not only a 2-1 win in their opening game, but with a goal for the record books.

At 94 minutes and 34 seconds, a free kick crossed the mouth of the goal, pulling goalkeeper Williams off her mark, before being directed into the vacated space by a clean head from Italy's star striker Barbara Bonansea.

It was the latest winning goal scored in regulation time in Women's World Cup history.

Australia had the most possession, the most shots, the most passes, the most corners and the most free kicks, but it wasn't enough for the Matildas.

The win, snatched in the dying seconds of the game, only reflected the course of the game up until that point.

Bonansea scored deep in injury time, but Italy had done well to wrestle control of the match. ( Reuters: Phil Noble )

It was a game of cat and mouse, with play moving from one end of the field to the other and back again so quickly that spectators with chiropractic concerns would have needed a neck brace.

Control of the game switched just as rapidly, but it was Italy's tactics that kept them one step ahead.

Australian defenders Alanna Kennedy and Clare Polkinghorne's attempts to hold the ball and slow down play were thwarted by the Italians' pressing and quick intercepts.

Instead they were at the mercy of the Italians' particular form of resetting play: fouls.

This worked in the Matildas' favour in the first half as the Italians were settling in to their game; a foul inside the box saw Sam Kerr step up to the penalty spot. She missed her attempt but made the most of the rebound, hitting the back of the net in the 22nd minute to score her first World Cup goal.

However, the calculated physicality of the Italian side, particularly after their second-half equaliser, saw play stunted and the Australian struggling to find their comfort zone of calm possession.

The Matildas took a first-half lead but couldn't finish the job against Italy. ( AP: Francisco Seco )

All eyes are now on Matildas coach Ante Milicic after assurances that the Australians' poor form in the pre-Cup friendly matches would be snuffed out before the competitive play began.

The growing pains within the team are obvious; the side hasn't performed up to their previous standards since former coach Alen Stajcic's removal, with no clear signs of improvement under Milicic.

Coach Ante Milicic has just days to work with until Australia plays Brazil. ( AAP: Darren England )

Italy's coach Milena Bertolini is also relatively fresh to the role.

She stepped up in August 2017, and in less than two years has transformed the side from also-rans into a competitive unit at World Cup level. Prior to 2019 World Cup, Italy had failed to qualify for two decades.

Milicic now has just five days, until Australia meets Brazil in its second match, to conjure a huge turnaround in his own side's fortunes.

The Matildas' backs are to the wall. Confidence is down and an early World Cup exit looms.

Kerr scored her first World Cup goal and looked dangerous when involved. ( AP: Francisco Seco )

But there were enough rays of hope in the Italy game to indicate all is not lost.

Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Chloe Logarzo all looked dangerous when they combined in attack, and the introduction of Elise Kellond-Knight provided them with much-needed stability in midfield.

If Milicic can sort out his defence in the next few days, the Matildas might just give Brazil a run for their money.