Samuele Vignato's spot-kick, that he won and subsequently put away in the third minute of added time, helped the Under 19s to beat Poland in the dying seconds to earn victory that may see them go through to the second phase of qualifying for the European Championships. Their fate is undecided because of Estonia's comeback win (from 0-2 down to 3-2 up) against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the other game of the group. It has left Italy in third place on goal difference, forcing the team to wait until the end of November - when all the groups games will have been played - to know if the three points today will be enough to see them through as the best third-placed team (only the results and the goal difference against the top two count).

In Gdynia, Italy, with the Juventus player Hasa starting out just behind the attacking duo of Tommaso Mancini and Luca D'Andrea, constantly put the Polish defence under pressure, in large parts due to Michael Olabode Kayode on the left flank. In the 19th minute, the Fiorentina defender won a penalty kick thanks to a naive and clumsy tackle by Kolan, but Mancini skied it from the penalty spot. The Azzurrini continued to threaten and on the half-hour mark Hasa, set up by D'Andrea, had his shot across goal stopped by Zyck. At the start of the second half, it was Mancini again who looked dangerous but he hit the crossbar with a volley from the edge of the area before being replaced by Raimondo. Mastrantonio then made a save from Oyedele's attempt. With Bosnia and Herzegovina winning, Italy only needed a draw to go through. But Estonia equalised in the 86th minute, and then in the dying moments Ounapuu found the goal that sent them through. In the meantime, Lipani wasted a chance to give them the lead and, when the game seemed to be over, Vignato forced Matyljewicz into a foul and earned a penalty that could turn out to be worth its weight in gold. From the spot, the Monza forward made no mistake, scoring his third penalty in the tournament after the two penalties he converted in the match against Bosnia Herzegovina.

"Now we just have to wait," said coach Alberto Bollini, "but regardless of that, the lads should be truly applauded fort heir efforts because it was not easy to end the group stage with six points after such an unlucky opening game. There is regret for that ridiculous defeat against Estonia, but we go forward knowing that we've become a team and a squad in just a matter of days".

Group 5: Schedule, results and standings

Matchday 1 (21 September)

ITALY-Estonia 0-2
Poland-Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0

Matchday 2 (24 September)
Bosnia and Herzegovina-ITALY 2-3
Poland-Estonia 2-0

Matchday 3 (27 September)
Poland 0-1 ITALY
Estonia 3-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Standings: *Poland, *Estonia and ITALY (6pts), Bosnia and Herzegovina (0).

*Qualified in first and second position