“It was important get off to a good start, and we scored two great goals. This win will spur us on, we really wanted to clinch the victory. We’ll start thinking about Ukraine as early as tomorrow, but we’ll enjoy this great moment for now.” This is what Daniele Arrigoni, the Head Coach of the University National Team, had to say following the Azzurrini’s 2-0 win against Mexico in their opening fixture at the Universiade. Lega Pro President Francesco Ghirelli, a big supporter of this young Italian team, was also unable to hide his joy: “I’ve got nothing else to say. I’ve always been optimistic because the lads know that opportunities like this are few and far between!”

Italy started well with a determined approach but were unable to find the back of the net. Mexico caused a scare in the 15th minute, with Cucchietti having to produce an excellent save to turn De La Rosa Zuniga’s strike behind for a corner. After 24 minutes, the same Mexican player cleared Ungaro’s header off the line. Two minutes later, the ball seemed to strike Madrid De La Fu’s hand in the box, but there were no protests from the Azzurrini.

At the start of the second period, Collodel was stopped in his tracks by Madrid De La Fu after good work by Sbrissa. With 55 minutes on the clock, captain Ungaro broke the deadlock with a finish into the corner. An outpouring of joy ensured as he was mobbed by his teammates. As the match was coming to a close, the Azzurrini ran the risk of conceding several times before Serena’s wonderful free kick killed off Mexico’s hopes of a comeback. Following the match, the players went over to the stands to thank the fans, who sang the national anthem with them and supported them throughout.

Italy 2-0 Mexico

ITALY: Cucchietti, Gatti (76’ Pogliano), Zonta, Sbrissa, Ungaro (86’ Galli), Florio, Serena, Vitturini, Tentardini (68’ Giraudo) Collodel, Galeandro (70’ Ruzzittu). Substitutes: Marcantognini, Mercadante, Galli, Strada, Cericola, Grieco. Head Coach: Arrigoni

MEXICO: Robles Paez, Ruiz Chacon, Siqueiros Najer (65’ Dominguez Parada), De La Rosa Zuniga (87’ Velasco Ron), Villa Rojas (56’ Ramirez Luis, 90’ Chavez Richard), Ruiz Romero, Escobedo Rodriguez, Anaya Jauregui, Ceballos Walls, Garcia Coronado, Madrid de la Fu. Substitutes: Balderrama, Chavez Richard, Lorenzana Benco, Manzo Arballo, Noyola Ramirez, Saenz Velazquez. Head Coach: Aguilar.

Referee: Christofi (Cipro)

Assistants: Minafra and Librale (Italia)

Fourth official: Freitas (Brasile)

Goalscorers: 55’ Ungaro, 91’ Serena

Notes. Bookings: 43’ Siqueiros Nader, 57’ Ungaro, 57’ Madrid De La Fu, 60’ Ceballos Walls, 74’ Gatti. Corners 8-6. Added time: 0’, 4’