At Geroskipou Municipal Stadium in Paphos,  Italy beat Ukraine and thus qualifying for the Euros, set to be played in Hungary from 17 May to 2 June. In what was a tough game for Corradi's side, they were able to open the scoring just before the break, courtesy of Ravaglioli, before sealing the game in the second half with goals from Liberali and Mendicino. The Azzurrini finished on seven points in Group 6, joint-top with the Republic of Ireland, who in a thrilling encounter fought back with a 96th-minute winner against Cyprus, leaving Italy as runners-up on goal difference but with automatic qualification reached:”Regardless of the eye-catching result," declared a smiling Corradi following the game, "I was hoping for this type of performance from the lads. The last few days, we've been working on their mentality rather than their legs because at this age they need to learn to believe in themselves even more. Rather than go into any particular technical detail, they must always look to take away positive aspects from their performance and journey. In fact, I saw them all get back into the game in a superb way, with Verde in particular coming to mind, who hasn't played a minute, yet he's still been available and ready to play if needed. It's an example that hopefully makes them realise that if they want to move forward quickly then they can always go it alone, but if they want to run far then they must always do so in a group.”

The match. Corradi was forced into making a change from the previous game, with injured Francesco Crapisto being replaced by Mendicino in the starting line-up; Ramaj was again in the centre of defence alongside Sadotti. The game started off evenly with both sides testing each other out and having an attempt apiece: the first was after 14' from Ukrainian captain Ponomarenko, whose right-footed attempt from the edge of the box flew just past the post, before Italy replied just after the half-hour mark when captain Mannini's effort from long range was too straight and was easily gathered by Surkis. Five minutes before half-time, Ragnoli Galli had Italy's real first chance, but he wasted his opportunity shooting straight at the goalkeeper from inside the box. But only a minute later, the lead came: a throw-in by Cocchi out on the left saw Ragnoli Galli burst into the area, playing a one-two with Ravagnoli (third goal in this tournament) who, on the run, didn't think twice and struck past Surkis with his right.

After the break, the Ukrainian launched their attack but the Azzurrini held firm without ever losing their composure. From a corner on 76 minutes, Osypenko somehow directed a ball towards the right corner of Martinelli's goal, but Ragnoli Galli miraculously stopped the ball from going in for the equaliser. A minute later and Italy doubled their lead: on the right, Mannini out Liberali through in the area, and after three steps, smashed it past Surkis with a clean strike. On 87 minutes, Mendicino made it 3-0 with a classy finish: with his right, he picked up a loose ball inside the area that had rebounded out from Scotti's shot, got it under control with his heel, and curled one into the far corner with his left.

Ukraine vs. Italy 0-3

Scorers: Ravaglioli 41’, Liberali 77’, Mendicino 87’

Ukraine (4-1-4-1): Surkis, Kaidalov (Bakai 86’), Korobov, Tacharchenko, Dykyi: Ischenko (Bilyi 61’); Synchuk (Khan 76’), Osypenko( Pashko 61’), Budko, Kalyn (Rusnak 75’); Ponomarenko (C). Head Coach. Moroz. Unused subs. Bakus, Harazha, Tsukanov.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Martinelli; Ventre, Ramaj, Sadotti, Cocchi (Pagnucco 73’); Mendicino, Riccio, Mannini (C) (Bonanomi 88’); Ragnoli Galli (Scotti 83’), Romano (Liberali 73’), Ravaglioli (Rao 88’). Head Coach. Corradi. Unused subs. Plaia, Desole, Verde.

Referee: Usman Aslan (NOR); Assistants, Jaeger (NOR) and Komodromos (CYP); Fourth official: Athanasiou (CYP).

Bookings: Osypenko, Kalyn, Ponomarenko, Cocchi, Korobov, Mannini, Romano, Corradi, Dickyi, Ventre. 

Fixtures and standings in Group 6: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Ukraine

Tuesday 7 March

ITALY-Republic of Ireland 2-2

Cyprus vs. Ukraine 2-4

Friday 10 March

Cyprus vs. ITALY 1-2

Ukraine vs. Republic of Ireland 0-3

Monday 13 March

Ukraine vs. ITALY 0-3

Republic of Ireland vs. Cyprus 3-2

Standings: Republic of Ireland and Italy 7 pt, Ukraine 3, Cyprus 0

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);
Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);
Forwards: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Emanuele Rao (SPAL), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).