Italy U19 is European champion

Italy U19 European champion

Italy U19 is European champion. In the final in Malta, Alberto Bollini’s Azzurrini avenge the heavy defeat they suffered in the group stage against Portugal (5-1) and beat the Lusitanians 1-0 thanks to Kayode’s goal in the 19th minute.

In the first half, Italy got off to a rocket start, touching the lead first with Esposito and then with Hasa. The third attempt is the good one: on 19′ Hasa puts in the center for Kayode who goes to the sky and header pierces Ribeiro. The Azzurrini dominated the first half, with Portugal never dangerous.

In the second half, in the 53rd minute Vignato goes close to doubling the score with a nice shot on the turn after a great slalom, rejected by the goalkeeper from Ribeiro. In the 61′ came the first real chance for Portugal but Mastrantonio overcame Fernandes’ close-range header on Borges’ perfect cross. In the final minute it was Vignato again who came close to doubling the score but Ribeiro hypnotized him.

Italy U19 returns to win the European Championship after 20 years: in 2003 it was Paolo Berrettini’s Italy that defeated the Portuguese in Vaduz.