It seemed all compromised after just 14', but this Under 17 National team has winning DNA and mentality. Trailing in score after just 23 seconds due to Da Costa's goal and struck again coldly at the 14’ by Furo's goal, the Azzurrini achieved a real feat by overturning Belgium in the second day of Group 3 in the Elite Phase of the European category. The penalty by Liberali and Konde's own goal (propelled by Camarda's touch) conclude the first part of the comeback, which materializes in the second half with Camarda's brace (one from the penalty spot) and Ciardi's goal, again from the penalty spot, at the end of the match. With this result, Italy remain with a perfect score, having also defeated the Netherlands (2-0) in the first day: the Azzurrini thus secure passage to the next round, as the top of the 8 groups and the best 7 second-placed teams qualify for the European finals, scheduled in Cyprus starting from 20 May. But to celebrate the possible arithmetic certainty, we will have to wait for the result of Finland v Netherlands scheduled today at 17.30CET (if Finland draws or loses, it is first place). The Finns, hosts in the Vantaa group, will be the opponents of Mosconi and his teammates on Tuesday at 12:00 CET (live on figc.it) in the third and final match of the group.

FAVO.  “I don't want to think about calculations, we want to close the group with 9 points – Favo’s comments after the match -. I told the guys in the locker room: it would be a gratification and also a good response to ourselves, for the path taken, for the efforts of the Federation. We didn't come from a positive first round, the draw in the 4th pot forced us into a very difficult group, but despite this we managed to beat two teams of great prestige." The Azzurrini did it despite some absences, such as those of Atzeni and Natali, with Garofalo and Coletta not at their best, taking to the field with an unprecedented central pairing, who had never played together before today. "The approach wasn't good, but I know the values this team has: character, quality, desire, and dedication. I had no doubts that we could come back, of course, I didn't think we'd be able to overturn it and score so easily. But these guys have incredible motivations within them, just see them when they sing the anthem how much they feel this shirt and how much they believe in this project."

THE MATCH. A shock start for the Azzurrini, who after just 23 seconds are behind in the score: on a cross from the right, the Italian defense is caught unprepared and Da Costa makes it 1-0. Favo's team tries to react, but in the 14’ Belgium punishes again: this time the cross comes from the left, from the left foot of Da Costa himself, Furo rushes onto the ball for the double. It could be a knockout blow, but Mosconi and his teammates don't fall apart. Liberali takes a corner, Doucuré rushes out recklessly and brings down Camarda: Ilić has no choice but to award the penalty; from the spot Liberali doesn't miss, and in the 20’ Italy shorten the distance. Minutes pass and the Azzurrini's pushing finds the right reward: at the end of a beautiful maneuvered action, a 'shot' by Camarda in the penalty area provokes Konde's intervention who cuts out Doucouré for the 2-2 just at the end of the first half. Caught up with Belgium, in the second half Italy doesn't stop: in the 50’ Mosconi enters the area from the left, swerves to the right and is brought down. For Ilić, it's another penalty: from the spot Camarda doesn't miss, this time the goal is all his - the first in this Elite Phase for the Milan talent - and the Azzurrini lead for the first time. The momentum of the match has completely turned: in the 57’ Mosconi (author of a sumptuous performance) retrieves the ball putting Camarda in a position to shoot: Doucouré can only pick up the ball from the net with Italy escaping to 4-2. But the double advantage, in a match like this, is not a safety cushion: Decresson from an off-center position surprises Longato for the goal that reopens the game, just 5 minutes after Camarda's brace. However, the clock is friendly to Italy: in the 66’ Favo also throws Ciardi into the mix - who scored against the Netherlands on Wednesday - and the Salzburg player, just entered, earns and converts another penalty, the third of the match awarded by Ilić to Italy. It's the blow of the definitive knockout: after a complicated approach, Italy mounts a comeback and wins, securing passage to the next round.

BELGIUM 3-5 ITALY (ht 2-2)

Belgium: Doucouré, Olivier, Konde, Mokio, Bungi, Bafdili (74’ Da Silva), De Cat, Makembo-Ntemo, Decresson (83’ Mansala), Furo (74’ Toure), Da Costa (46’ Debondt). Coach: Penneman.

Italy: Longato, Benjamin (46’ Cappelletti), Nardin, Verde, Cama, Mantini, Sala (46’ Coletta), Di Nunzio, Liberali (57’ Ciardi), Mosconi (87' Lauricella), Camarda (82’ Campaniello). Coach: Favo

Scorers: 1’ Da Costa (B), 14' Furo (B), 20' pen. Liberali (I), 45' own goal Konde (I), 5'st and 12' Camarda (I), 17' Decresson (B), 21' pen. Ciardi (I)

Referee: Pavle Ilić (SRB). Assistants: Djorovic (SRB) and Kemppinen (FIN). Fourth official: Manninen (FIN)

Bookings: yellow cards for Sala (I), Doucouré (B), and Bungi (B)

Schedule, results, and standings of Group 3 of the Elite Phase

First matchday (Wednesday, 20 March):

Netherlands 0-2 ITALY

Finland 0-1 Belgium

Second matchday (Saturday, 23 March):

Belgium 3-5 ITALY

Netherlands v Finland (at 17:30 CET Myyrmäki Stadium in Vantaa)

Standings:

ITALY 6 points, Belgium 3 points, Finland and Netherlands 0 points

Third matchday (Tuesday, 26 March):

Netherlands v Belgium (at 12:00 CEt, Mustapekka Areena in Helsinki)

ITALY v Finland (at 12:CET, Myyrmäki Stadium in Vantaa) *live streaming on the FIGC website*

*streaming directly on the FIGC site