The best defence against one of the best attacks. A semi-final spot was on the line when Italy and Mali faced off and it proved to be a match between two contrasting styles. The game itself was lively, intense and full of drama. Our guys managed to come out as winners, beating a determined Mali side 4-2 after they twice came from behind despite being a man down for most of the match.

Mali started aggressively and Kone forced Plizzari into action five minutes in after he was picked out by Koita. It was the Azzurrini who took the lead however in the twelfth minute when Kone was unfortunate to redirect an Esposito corner into his own net. The goal made things tougher for the African side but they responded well until the 21st minute when Diakite was shown a straight red card by Eflfath for his foul on Pellegrini. Mali stayed compact however and were able to draw level in the 38th minute when Koita was set up by a magnificent Kone backheel. The match was going at full pelt before the half-time whistle when Plizzari came to the rescue with saves from Kone and Koita before Gabbia missed a great chance with his head.

Italy dictated play at the start of the second half with Bettella and Tripaldelli causing problems down the flanks. Nicolato’s side continued to get runners beyond the ball, creating pressure in the Mali half. After an hour, Pinamonti restored the lead with a magnificent goal. The captain beat the offside trap and then Youssuf Koita from a seemingly impossible angle and the goal was deemed legitimate after a VAR check. The goal galvanised Italy who had two big chances in the 72nd minute. First Pellegrini let fly with a powerful effort before Koita made a great reflex save from Pinamonti. Mali stayed resilient however and were able to make the most of an injury in the Italy defence to set Camara up for a tap-in. The Azzurrini’s heart came to the fore at the most difficult moment as they were led on by captain Pinamonti. He won a penalty in the 83rd minute and coolly fired it into the corner himself to make it 3-2. There wasn’t even enough time let it sink in before Frattesi headed in after Bettella’s ball to make it 4-2. With stoppage time running down, Plizzari was able to save his second penalty of the tournament as he fully extended to deny Koita.

"This team doesn’t stop surprising you, we’re truly living out this dream in an intense way," said Nicolato after the match. "We’ll look ahead and do it calmly, it was a really tough match against a very strong opponent but these guys have always got through difficulty no matter what. Mali are never a soft opponent, they have a lot of quality in attack but in the end, our greater freshness made a difference." We didn’t fall apart after conceding and I’m proud of this group." The Azzurrini are in the last four of the Under-20 World Cup after making it this far two years ago in South Korea. On Tuesday 11 June, Ukraine will be the opponents with a place in the final on the line.

 

ITALY 4-2 MALI 

Goals: 12’ Kone (o.g.), 38’ S. Koita, 60’ Pinamonti, 79’ Camara, 83’ Pinamonti (pen.), 84’ Frattesi

ITALY(3-5-2): Plizzari, Gabbia, Del Prato, Ranieri, Bellanova, Frattesi, Esposito (68’ Bettella), Pellegrini, Tripaldelli, Scamacca, Pinamonti (’88 Olivieri)

Coach. Nicolato. Substitutes: Carnesecchi, Candela, Buongiorno, Colpani, Capone, Gori, Alberio, Loria

MALI (4-3-3): Y. Koita, Konnan, Fofana (91’ Konate), Kanoute, Diaby, Diakite, Kamara, Sissoko, Drame (84’ M. Traore), Kone (70’ B. Traore), S. Koita

Coach Kane. Substitutes.: A. Coulibaly, Diarra, Konte, Diarra, Samake, N’Diaye, S. Coulibaly

Referee: Elfath (USA); Assistants: Atkins (USA) and Parker (USA). Fourth official: Al Kaf (OMA); Var: Kelly (IRL) and Al Jeneibi (UAE)

Bookings: Sissoko, B. Traore

Red card: Diakite