Under the watchful eyes of Club Italia sporting director and National Team Delegation Head Gianluigi Buffon, U20 Head Coach Bernardo Corradi, U17 Head Coach Massimiliano Favo, U18 Head Coach Daniele Franceschini, Italy Women Head Coach Andrea Soncin, and Soncin’s assistants Viviana Schiavi and Alessandro Turone, the U16 National Team fell to an undeserved 3-2 defeat to England at the Stadio delle Tre Fontane in Rome.

The Azzurrini made a bright start and took a fourth-minute lead through Bologna striker Kevin Fustini, who made a great interception before beating Hardy with a left-footed strike. England hit back quickly, with Kavuma-McQueen successfully taking aim from just over 25 yards out. 

After two efforts from Rocchetti (one of which hit the post) in the first half and a big chance for Fugazzola shortly after the restart, Oliver Wilkinson gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute. However, the Azzurrini responded well, with Fugazzola finishing off Angelicchio’s assist four minutes later. In the 71st minute, Kavuma-McQueen freed himself of the attentions of Cioffi before firing home. Fugazzola then hit the woodwork late on as Italy came close to rescuing a draw.

“There’s a bit of regret because we created a lot,” said Head Coach Marco Scarpa. “The lads’ performance was positive. I saw a determined team who took to the pitch with the right attitude. We’re at the start of our journey, but I’ve already had some positive answers. The result leaves a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth because we undoubtedly played well.”

Italy and England will play the second game of their friendly double header at 10:30 CEST on Thursday 29 August at the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome.

Italy 2-3 England

Goalscorers: 4' Fustini (I), 6' Kavuma-McQueen (E), 50' Wilkinson (E), 54' Fugazzola (I), 71' Kavuma-McQueen (E).

ITALY (4-3-1-2) : Sonzogni; Mandirola (67' Bonifazi), Cioffi (77' Diallo), Rocchetti ©, Tanzilli (41' Del Fabro); Biondini (67' Giammattei), Angelicchio (77' Brizzolari), Pisati (77' Corigliano); Bruno (60' Martini); Fugazzola, Fustini (67' Landi).
Substitutes: Faccioli (P), Evangelista, Paonessa.
Head Coach: Marco Scarpa.

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1) : Hardy; Ebho (90'+6 Sambou), Lawrie, Wilkinson, Watson (51' Diakite); Holland ©, Wilkes (51' De Lisle); Monga (67' Rabbaj), Alabi (51' Vidal-Philogene), Kavuma-McQueen; Boast (67' Tavares).
Substitutes: Da Silva, Collinson (P), Hamilton-Forsyth, Vidal-Philbert, Alker.
Head Coach: Greg Lincoln.

Referee: Marco Antonuccio (ITA).
Assistant 1: Lorenzo Cagiola (ITA).
Assistant 2: Leonardo Degli Abbati (ITA).
Fourth official: Giorgio Catalani (ITA).

Note: Booked 20' Cioffi (I), 29' Holland (E). Added time: 2', 5'.