In front of almost 3000 fans at the Friuli in Udine, the Under-19 National Team and reigning European Champions produced a solid performance to beat the Czech Republic 2-1. Once again, Simone Pafundi took centre stage, with the No.10 finding the net at a stadium he knows well. Indeed, he opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a fine left-footed finish from just inside the box. Italy’s second goal arrived shortly after the half-hour mark as Pafundi sent in a corner for Luca Lipani, whose header entered the net via a deflection. In the second 45, after efforts from Palestra and Lipani, the Czechs pulled one back thanks to a long-range strike from Štěpán Míšek in the 71st minute. In the closing stages, they could have drawn level, with both Konečný and Hamza having chances to make it 2-2.

“The best thing about this match is the result,” said Bernardo Corradi. “In such tournaments, winning or losing can make all the difference in the world. We need to learn how to dig in and fight a bit more: we’re a nice team and, at times, enjoy ourselves a bit too much, which is what happened in the second half today.”

Italy will return to action on Tuesday 26 March (14:30 CET, live stream on the FIGC website): at the Stadio Guido Teghil in Lignano Sabbiadoro, the Azzurrini will face a Georgia side who beat Scotland 3-2 at the Stadio Giuseppe Morigi in Manzano: “We know that the Elite Round is never easy,” continued the Head Coach, who knows that a win or a draw would seal his side’s spot in the final tournament. “We want to win to finish on maximum points.”

The seven group winners from the Elite Round will join hosts Northern Ireland in the finals, which will take place between 15 and 28 July.

CZECH REPUBLIC 1-2 ITALY

Czech Republic: Baier; Krupička, Hunál ©, Konečný, Pudil (83' Uriča); Mišek (83' Proniuk), Žitný (56' Vitarigov); Planka; Pudil, Krulich (37' Buryán), Hranoš (37' Hamza). Substitutes: Rezek (P), Zachoval, Říha, Toman. Head Coach: Janotka.

Italy: Renato Bellucci; Palestra, Mane, Chiarodia ©, Pagnucco; Ciammaglichella (61' Romano), Lipani © (74' Harder), Mannini (74' Di Maggio); Zeroli; Pafundi (80' Amey), Misitano (74' Anghelè). Substitutes: Magro (P), Sia, Corradi C. Head Coach: Corradi B.

Goals: 18' Pafundi (I), 32' Lipani (I), 71' Mišek (R).

Referee: Patrik Kolarić (CRO). Assistants: Luka Pajić (CRO), Eraklis Komodromos (CYP). Fourth official: Menelaos Antoniou (CYP).

Note: Hunál (R), Hamza (R), Pudil (R), Harder (I) and Buryán (R) all booked.

Elite Round Group 5: calendar, results and standings

Matchday one (Wednesday 20 March)
Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic
Scotland 1-3 ITALY

Standings: Italy and Czech Republic 3, Georgia and Scotland 0.

Matchday two (Saturday 23 March)
Scotland 2-3 Georgia
Czech Republic 1-2 ITALY

Standings: ITALY 6, Czech Republic and Georgia 3, Scotland 0.

Matchday three (Tuesday 26 March)
14.30 CET: ITALY vs. Georgia (Stadio Guigo Teghil in Lignano Sabbiadoro)*
14:30 CET: Czech Republic vs. Scotland (Stadio Giuseppe Morigi in Manzano)

*live stream on the FIGC website.