The U19s suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to England today but exit the European Championship with their heads held high. Italy dominated the first half and took the lead through Miretti’s twelfth-minute penalty after the same player had been fouled by Norton-Cuffy in the box. With the Azzurrini having spent a lot of energy in the opening period, the second half saw the Three Lions advance further up the pitch and score through Scott and Quansah from two corners. Overall, Italy dictated the tempo for much of the match, especially in the first half, but it wasn’t enough. Despite this afternoon’s disappointing result, there is one positive to remember: the Azzurrini’s run to the semis means that Italy will be involved in the U20 World Cup in Indonesia next year.

This is what Carmine Nunziata had to say after the game: “We dominated the first half and stopped England from playing. After spending a lot of energy, it’s normal to drop off physically. It’s a shame that we conceded twice from set-pieces; we perhaps should have been more attentive. There’s regret because we also had chances to draw level after we’d fallen behind. However, I’d like to compliment my lads, who have been exceptional during this Euro campaign, starting from the qualifying phases. We finished in the top four and also qualified for the World Cup.”

England 2-1 Italy

Goalscorers: 12' pen. Miretti, 58' Scott, 82' Quansah

England (4-2-3-1): Cox; Norton-Cuffy (56' Oyegoke), Edwards, Quansah, Doyle; Iroegbunam (56' Scott), Chukwuemeka; Devine, Ramsey (56' Bynoe-Gittens, 83' Chambers), Vale (C); Scarlett (87' Jebbison).
Substitutes: Sharman-Lowe (GK), Humphreys, Iling-Junior, Delap. Head Coach: Foster.

Italy: (4-3-1-2): Desplanches; Turicchia (63' Mulazzi), Ghilardi, Coppola [C], Giovane (C) (73' Fontanarosa); Fabbian, Faticanti (90'+1 Fazzini), Casadei (73' Baldanzi); Miretti; Nasti, Ambrosino Di Bruttopilo (63' Volpato). Substitutes: Zacchi (GK), Stivanello, Terracciano, Degli Innocenti. Head Coach: Nunziata.

Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO); Linesmen: Davit Gabisonia (GEO) and Edgaras Bučinskas (LTU); Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas (LTU).

Booked: Iroegbunam, Desplanches, Ghilardi, Faticanti, Coppola, Devine, Miretti, Scott, Nasti, Jebbison

U20 World Cup playoff

Tuesday 28 June

Slovakia 1-0 Austria (Slovakia qualify for the U20 World Cup in Indonesia)

European Under-19 Championship semi-finals

Tuesday 28 giugno

England 2-1 Italy

France vs. Israel, 20:00 CEST at the DAC Arena in Dunajská Streda

Final

1 July, Trnava Stadium at 20:00 CEST