2024 ended in defeat for the Under-16 National Team, who took the lead but lost 2-1 to Portugal in the second match of the friendly double-header at the Estádio Municipal de Vendas Novas (the first match two days ago finished 1-1). The Azzurrini went in front through a ninth-minute penalty from Juventus attacker Riccardo Paonessa but were pegged back in the 85th minute after a goal from Benfica defender Leandro Tavares. In a finale where two red cards were brandished – one for Porto defender Vasco Dinis and the other for Atalanta striker Marcello Fugazzola – Portugual completed the comeback through Sporting Braga defender Rodrigo Silva, who bagged a stoppage-time winner.

“We read the match well, especially in the first half,” said Head Coach Marco Scarpa. “In the second half – also due to continuous interruptions in play – it got away from us and, unfortunately, we conceded two goals, one from a corner and another from a free-kick. Nevertheless, I’m fairly pleased because we were leading with just a few minutes to go and were playing well with intensity. It’s disappointing because it seemed like it was going our way, but our opponents managed to come back and score with the last kick of the game. We didn’t deserve to lose.”