The Italy U16s put in a brilliant performance to beat England 5-0 at the Olympic Training Centre Acqua Acetosa Giulio Onesti in Rome, named in memory of Gianluca Vialli. To make things better for the Azzurrini, FIGC General Secretary Marco Brunelli was present for the game and complimented the entire squad and staff for the prestigious and historic result: no Italian men’s national team of any age group has ever beaten an England side by such a margin. Marco Scarpa’s lads went ahead in the 18th minute through captain Gioele Giammattei, Roma midfielder, and doubled the lead in the 26th minute through Juventino, Riccardo Paonessa. Both the Azzurri number 18 and 23 bagged again for a brace at 32’ and 36’ respectively, before Bologna forward Kevin Fustini scored the final goal in the 72nd minute.

The Azzurrini Coach emphasised, happily: “I am thrilled for the lads and the Federation because these are the fruits of our labour that began with the U15s. I want to thank Coordinator Maurizio Viscidi and Vice Coordinator Daniele Zoratto who have been an amazing help in the last few days. This is a brilliant win for the rest of the season”.

MATCH REPORT. Both Italy and England swapped out their entire starting XI with respect to the previous game but maintained their set-ups: Azzurrini with a 4-3-1-2 and the English with a 4-2-3-1.

Scarpa’s lads started well and it didn’t take long to open the scoring. In the 18th minute, Giammattei picked up a ball from Landi in the box and unleashed a powerful show to beat Collinson. Galvanised by the opener, the Azzurrini kept pushing and doubled the lead through Paonessa in the 26th minute, assisted by Toure. Both goalscorers, Giammattei and Paonessa, went on to bag a brace by going one-to-one with the English keeper at 32’ and 36’ respectively. 4-0.

In the second half, Italy managed the lead well and put the final nail in the coffin with 8 minutes to go. Fustini had come on for Paonessa and scored to make it 5-0 with a brilliant tap-in assisted by Fugazzola. England’s attempt at a consolation prize with Kavuma-McQueen from a distance was stopped in its tracks by Faccioli. 

The Azzurini will next play on Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 September against Spain at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano.

Italy 5-0 England 

Goalscirers: 18' Giammattei, 26' Paonessa, 32' Giammattei, 36' Paonessa, 72' Fustini.

ITALY (4-3-1-2) : Faccioli; Bonifazi (75' Mandirola), Diallo, Evangelista (75' Rocchetti), Toure (75' Tanzilli); Giammattei © (38' Biondini ©), Brizzolari, Martini (51' Pisati); Corigliano © (51' Angelicchio); Paonessa (59' Fustini), Landi (59' Fugazzola).
Unused subs: Sonzogni (P), Cioffi, Bruno.
Head Coach: Marco Scarpa.

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Collinson; Da Silva (41' Ebho), Hamilton-Forsyth (41' Lawrie), Sambou © (41' Wilkinson ©), Diakite (68' Watson); Philogene (70' Wilkes), De Lisle (53' Holland); Rabbaj (70' Alabi), Alker (53' Monga), Vidal-Philbert (41' Kavuma-McQueen); Tavares (53' Boast).
Unused subs: Hardy (P).
Head Coach: Craig Lincoln.

Referee: Marco Ventrone (ITA).
Assistant 1: Paolo Camilli (ITA).
Assistant 2: Cristiano Rosati (ITA).
Fourth official: Denis Cornel Pal (ITA).

Note: booked 58' Diakite (En), 60' Fugazzola (It). Injury time: 2’ and 3'.