34 days after the initial fixture was due to take place - but was postponed by UEFA due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Italy squad, Italy Under-21 obtained a vital victory at the Víkingsvöllur. One of four debutants, Tommaso Pobega, scored the all-important brace in the 2-1 win over Iceland. These three points are massive, as Italy edge ever closer to qualification for the finals in March - the tournament is to be held from 24 to 31 March 2021 in Hungary and Slovenia. Along with the hosts and qualifying group winners, the five best-ranked runners-up will play in the finals.

The Azzurrini move to the top of Group 1 with a three-point lead over the Republic of Ireland. On Sunday in Differdange (17:30 CET), Italy could book their place in Hungary and Slovenia by beating Luxembourg, who they beat 5-0 in Castel di Sangro last year. Iceland were unbeaten in the group at home until today and were capable of beating both Ireland and Sweden. With four debutants starting the game, Nicolato’s side were compact in defence, shut down the spaces and shut the hosts’ forwards out of the game, among whom Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen (son of Eidur) is usually prolific. In the driving wind and rain, Italy brought home all three points thanks to Pobega’s brace.

“I’m really satisfied,” said Paolo Nicolato, “the boys deserve a lot of credit. We lost ten players in three days for one reason or another. Four debutants played and there were a lot of new boys, who didn’t know each other. We began two years ago with a team that was capable of going all the way but we’ve had to change bodies and our way of playing. In spite of this, we always manage to give our all on the pitch. Now, we need to keep this desire and determination going.”

THE GAME. Without Cutrone, who was blocked from travelling by local health authorities in Florence, Nicolato played Sottil and Scamacca up top, opting for a 3-5-2 formation and trying to limit the hosts’ efforts down the wings. Four players made their debuts: Lovato, Bellanova, Rovella and Pobega. In defence, Gabbia, Lovato and Delprato formed the back three, with Rovella, Pobega and Frattesi in midfield. Bellanova and Sala were the wide men on either side of the midfield. The most dangerous adversary came in the form of Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen, who playing at Odense on loan from Spezia. Gudjohnsen has scored five goals in qualifying and was a thorn in the side of both Ireland and Sweden.

It was a frigid, wet and blustery day at the Víkingsvöllur. The weather made it difficult to build from the back, which was compounded by the hosts’ aggressive high press. The first real chance of the game fell in the 35th minute and Italy took full advantage. Sala fed Sottil down the left, he put the ball into the middle and it dropped to Pobega, who unleashed a wicked effort. The goalkeeper got a hand to it but wasn’t able to keep it out; Italy were 1-0 up. Five minutes later, Italy squandered an opportunity to double their lead; Scamacca was just unable to get on the end of Sottil’s cross.

The rhythm increased after the break and Italy conceded in the 63rd minute, Willumsson bringing the hosts level. There was a setback for the Azzurrini as Lovato went off injured (Vogliacco replacing him), but Italy regained their composure and pushed for a late winner. And late it was. Tommaso Pobega scored his second of the game, this time from distance. It was a knock-out blow for Iceland as Italy took home the victory and moved one step closer to their goal.