It wasn’t to be for Italy. After a very tight 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time, the Under 21s leave the European Championship at the quarter final stage, having been beaten by Portugal 5-3. This defeat hurts, but the Azzurrini come out with their heads held high, after having fought with all their strength, never giving up despite their tiredness, despite being down a man for most of extra time after Matteo Lovato was sent off. It is a heavy defeat, but it doesn’t diminish the long and exciting journey over this two-year period that Coach Paolo Nicolato, with tears in his eyes, described as “unforgettable”.

Italy vs. Portugal has never been a boring match. The numbers show it, the history of these two national teams shows it. In this particular quarter final of a European Championship with an irregular format, we witnessed an exciting battle, full of goals, full of twists, and full of quality from both teams, and above all, the heart, courage, and pride of the young Italy side that fell behind and came back three times, a team that never gives up. Trailing by two goals after Dany Mota's brace, the Under 21 team got back into the game in the 45th minute with Pobega's goal; in the second half Goncalo Ramos made it 3-1 in the 58th minute, and thirty seconds later it was 3-2 thanks to Scamacca, before Cutrone made it 3-3 two minutes from the 90'. Then, in extra time, the goals scored in the 108th minute by Jota and the 118th minute by Conceicao decided the outcome.

MATCH REPORT – After evaluating the conditions of the group in the days of preparation at Tirrenia, Nicolato relied on his best eleven and lined up with the usual 3-5-2 formation: Carnesecchi in goal, Del Prato (who was promoted to captain) in the centre of defence with Lovato and Ranieri on either side, Bellanova, Frattesi, Rovella, Pobega, Sala made up the midfield, and the duo of Raspadori & Scamacca lined out up front. Portugal, fresh from a streak of ten consecutive victories, made for an uncomfortable opponent, a team that knows how to move the ball very quickly; but Italy are also no less in terms of successes, with eleven wins, three draws and only one defeat in the Nicolato era. Not to mention the five titles won in 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, and the most recent in 2004.

This match between Italy and Portugal will go down as a classic at the Under 21 level. On the eve of the game, the Coach said he wanted to see a courageous Italy on the pitch, who are not afraid of anyone, and the Azzurrini immediately tried to give their Coach the desired response. After four minutes Italy recovered an important ball, Raspadori took the initiative, but the Portuguese defenders closed him down well. At 5 minutes Carnesecchi parried away a Vitinha shot, but the ensuing corner was fatal for the Azzurrini, as Dany Mota produced a spectacular overhead kick, sending the ball into the net and surprising the Azzurri.

Six minutes in and the game was already an uphill battle. After a moment of confusion, first Bellanova, who couldn’t get his shot away, and then Pobega, whose shot with his left ended up just wide, tried their luck before Italy moved the offensive game to the wings, putting the Portuguese in difficulty.

On 32 minutes, however, Dany Mota popped up again for Portugal on what was a good evening for him, taking advantage of another corner kick where, after the header down by Daniel Braganca, he controlled the ball, turned, and shot underneath the crossbar. The 2-0 scoreline stunned Italy However, this team has learned to grit its teeth in these two years. And they did it this time too, the opportunity was too important to give up. So much so that, on 45 minutes, Tommaso Pobega reopened the game by tapping the ball in inches from goal after Frattesi's flicked header.

The teams went into the dressing rooms with the score at 2-1. It was a beautiful, vibrant game, especially in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Raspadori released Sala who picked out a great cross for Frattesi in the 54th minute, whose strong header from a few yards out was beaten away by Diogo Costa. Portugal went 3-1 up in the 58th minute through Goncalo Ramos, who was set up by Queiros' header. It was not over. Italy shortened the gap right away: an excellent ball by Raspadori sent Frattesi down the right channel, who picked out a perfect low cross for Scamacca to stroke into the net for 3-2.

In difficulty with the high balls, the Azzurrini came close to conceding in the 67th minute but for a crucial interception by Ranieri in front of goal. A double change came 30 minutes into the second half, as fresh forces were needed to inject speed into the game: Nicolato replaced Bellanova with Zappa and Pobega with Maggiore. It was time to risk everything. There was also room for Sottil and Cutrone who came on five minutes later, with Sala and Rovella returning to the dressing room. The latter two became the protagonists of a well-deserved draw: two minutes from the 90', Sottil beat two opponents before serving up a cross for Cutrone who met the ball at the front post to score a very crucial goal, to make the game 3-3 and send it to extra time.

Which unfortunately got off to a bad start for Italy. Already booked, Lovato received a second yellow card for a foul on Dany Mota and was sent off. The Azzurrini were down to ten, and in the meantime, Nicolato resorted to the sixth substitution granted by the referee, with Ricci coming on to replace Scamacca. Fatigue was felt on both sides and the Under 21s, outnumbered, had the most difficult task to complete. Indeed, Portugal took the lead again in the 108th minute: Jota got in behind Frattesi and Zappa and slotted it past Carnesecchi.

Italy were called upon to pick themselves up yet again: Cutrone tried with a snapshot at the near post, but his shot went wide by a whisker. And on 118 minutes came Conceicao's goal to put an end to this unforgettable night. Italy return home and Portugal advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Spain on Thursday in Maribor.

After the match, Paolo Nicolato's tears and words weighed heavy: “First of all, I want to congratulate our opponents - declared the coach - Portugal have proven to be a great team. But I also want to congratulate my lads for their heart, for the courage they put into playing a great game. I am proud of them, it has been an unforgettable two-year period. We did everything we had to and everything we could do, we have shown what we are. For many of them this was their last game, I also find it hard to speak. I have no regrets”.