Italy played attractive football and it was enough to win. Carmine Nunziata’s comfortable dispatched Spain in Dublin in the final match in the group stage of the Under-17 European Championship. At the Belfield Bowl, the Azzurrini won a third consecutive group match to move top of Group D.

It was a magnificent display from Nunziata’s side who will next face Portugal on Monday in the quarter-finals after they finished second behind Hungary in Group C.

A draw would have been enough for Spain who had a superior goal difference after they beat Austria 3-0 and Germany 1-0 while the Azzurrini had beat Germany 3-1 and Austria 2-1. However, Italy won out to be left as the only unbeaten side in the competition.

The last meeting came two years ago when the side led by Emiliano Bigica was beaten in the second group match by Spain before going on to win the title. Out of the previous 15 meetings, Italy have only won one with 5 draws and nine defeats.

Carmine Nunziata made a large number of changes, keeping only two out of the eleven players who started against Austria. Gasparini was in goal with Riccio, Moretti, the captain Pirola and Ruggeri forming a back four. In midfield, Udogie kept his place in a three-man midfield alongside Squizzato and Arlotti. Up front, Sekulov was in behind Colombo and Giovane.

Early on, both teams started relatively slowly as they looked to control possession in the opening exchanges. The match came into life ten minutes in with a great piece of individual play from Soriano but Gasparini did brilliantly to deny him. Italy didn’t take long to respond and took the lead in the 22nd minute after Lopez gave away a penalty for a foul on Udogie and Colombo made no mistake from the sport. The Azzurrini were ahead thanks to the first goal from the no.9. 

David Gordo’s side looked to come back into it via some good work from Aranda but Gasparini saved. Spain were on the attack but Nunziata’s side had a chance to score a second through Giovane. Just as it seemed as though the half was over, Soriano caught Italy out on the break and he turned in after the original shot by Pino was well saved by Gasparini and so it was 1-1 at the break.

The goal didn’t discourage the Azzurrini, quite the opposite in fact. Four minutes into the second half, Moretti got onto a ball from Giovane at the far post that had been knocked on by Colmbo for the easiest of finishes. Italy were in control and extended the lead in the 66th minute with a great left-foot strike from the captain Pirola that left Ruiz with no chance.

At the end, Nunziata made changes while Italy did well to no allow Spain away back into it before the substitute Esposito won a penalty for a Lopez handball before converting himself.

This result finalises the quarter-final schedule. France play the Czech Republic and Belgium meet the Netherlands on Sunday before Italy face Portugal on Monday. Spain will be up against Hungary.

ITALY 4-1 SPAIN

Goals: 22’ Colombo pen., 45’ Soriano, 49’ Moretti, 66’ Pirola, 89’ Esposito pen.

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Gasparini; Riccio, Moretti, Pirola (C), Ruggeri (79’ Brentan); Udogie, Squizzato (60’ Panada), Arlotti (60’ Esposito); Sekulov; Colombo (69’ Cudrig), Giovane;

Coach Nunziata. A disp.: Lamanna, Tongya, Dalle Mura, Bonfanti.

Spain (4-3-3): Ruiz; López, Gómez, Marín, Muñoz; Rico, Pacheco, Soriano; Pino (59’ Escobar), Moreno, Aranda.

Coach: David Gordo. A disp.: Martiínez, Carrillo, Gelardo, Turrientes, Valera, Joseda, Navarro.

Referee: Rade Obrenovic (SVN). Assistants: Gylfi Mar Sigurdsson (ISL), Lewiss Edwards (WAL). Fourth official: Iwan Arwel Griffith (WAL).

Bookings: Lopez, Colombo.

 

European Championship Groups

Group A: Republic of Ireland (host nation), Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece

Group B: Netherlands (reigning champions), France, England, Sweden

Group C: Iceland, Portugal, Hungary, Russia

Group D: Spain, ITALY, Germany, Austria

 

Group D Results and Standings

Matchday One (4 May)

Spain 3-0 Austria

ITALY 3-1 Germany

Matchday Two (7 May)

ITALY 2-1 Austria

Spain 1-0 Germany

Matchday Three (10 May)

ITALY 4-1 Spain

Austria 1-3 Germany

 

Table: ITALY 9 points, Spain 6 points, Germany 3 and Austria 0