A splendid victory for the Under 19 National Team, reigning European champions, who brilliantly overcame Scotland with a score of 3-1 in the opening match of Group 5 in the European Elite Phase. The Azzurrini, driven by the warmth and enthusiasm of the 550 spectators at the 'Guido Teghil', confirm their positive trend in Lignano Sabbiadoro, where, in the previous three matches at this level, they have always emerged victorious. Bernardo Corradi's boys took the lead in the 25’ with AC Milan's midfielder Kevin Zeroli, who put the ball into the net after a shot from Simone Pafundi (Losanna) was parried by Williamson. In the second forty-five minutes of play, Italy found the second goal with a splendid left-footed shot from outside the box, in the 70’, by their number 10, before conceding, five minutes later, a goal from Scotland's David Watson. In the final minutes, there was time for the third Italian goal scored in the 84’ by substitute Marco Romano (Genoa) with an assist from an inspired Pafundi.

The Azzurrini will return to the field on Saturday, 23 March (at 16:30 CET, live streaming on the FIGC website) at the 'Friuli' stadium in Udine against their Czech Republic counterparts, who, in the match held at the 'Giuseppe Morigi' stadium in Manzano, defeated Georgia 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by right-back Zdeněk Toman in the opening (4th) minute.

SCOTLAND 1-3 ITALY (HT 0-1)

Scotland: Williamson; Whittaker, Jackson, Grant, MacKenzie; Miller (90'+1 Tait), Rice ©; Wales (79' One), Watson, Kelly; Bavidge (71' Wilson).

Unused subs: Mahady (GK), Campbell, MacIntyre, Molotnikov, McLuckie. Coach: Stark.

Italy: Bellucci Marin; Palestra, Mane (87' Amey), Chiarodia ©, Bartesaghi; Mannini (77' Harder), Lipani © (77' Romano), Di Maggio (58' Ciammaglichella); Zeroli; Pafundi, Misitano (58' Anghelè).

Unused subs: Magro (GK), Sia, Corradi C., Pagnucco. Coach: Corradi B.

Goals: 25' Zeroli (I), 70' Pafundi (I), 75' Watson (S), 84' Romano (I).

Referee: Patrik Kolarić (CRO). Assistants: Luka Pajić (CRO), Milan Pašajlić (SRB). Fourth official: Miloš Milanović (SRB).

Cards: Bavidge (S), Kelly (S), Palestra (I), Grant (S), Bartesaghi (I) booked.

Group 5 Results

First Matchday (Wednesday, 20 March)

Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic

Scotland 1-3 ITALY

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

Second Matchday (Saturday, 23 March)

16:30 CET: Czech Republic v ITALY (Friuli Stadium, Udine)*

12:00 CET: Scotland v Georgia (Giuseppe Morigi Stadium, Manzano)

Third Matchday (Tuesday, March 26)

14:30 CET: ITALY v Georgia (Guido Teghil Stadium, Lignano Sabbiadoro)*

14:30 CET: Czech Republic v Scotland (Giuseppe Morigi Stadium, Manzano)

*Live streaming on the FIGC website.