Kevin Zeroli and a Francesco Camarda brace allowed Italy to sweep hosts Northern Ireland aside and qualify for the Under-19 EURO semi-finals, but also book their place at the Under-20 World Cup in 2025.
The Azzurrini won the tournament last year with a very different squad and are now under coach Bernardo Corradi with several Under-17 talents promoted.
After some efforts over the bar and others charged down, they finally broke through after 15 minutes with Zeroli on the half-volley, Aaron Ciammaglichella’s header bouncing off the damp turf. It was the Milan midfielder’s second goal of the tournament.
The pair combined again moments later, Zeroli this time sending Ciammaglichella through, but there was a desperate defensive block on the finish.
Northern Ireland focused mainly on defending, but were dangerous from a set play, forcing Renato Marin to parry with his leg from George Goodman.
Luca Di Maggio’s flick was parried, but 16-year-old Milan striker Camarda made it 2-0 in first half stoppages when pouncing on a defensive error to sweep a marvellous finish in off the inside of the far post with his right boot from a tricky angle.
Italy added a third at the dawn of the second half, as substitute Vittorio Magni made an immediate impact, rolling across from the right for his Milan teammate Camarda to flick in from six yards.
Simone Pafundi’s free kick was just wide, while Marin did have to make another save on a Graham angled drive and Diego Sia blasted over when set up by Pafundi.
This win maintains their 100 per cent record, having beaten Norway 2-1 in the opening fixture, to top the group. Just getting into the semi-final also means Italy are in the Under-20 World Cup for 2025.
Northern Ireland 0-3 Italy
Zeroli 15 (I), Camarda 45+3, 48 (I)
Italy U19: Marin; Mannini, Mane, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Ciammaglichella (Magni 46), Lipani (Anghelè 64), Di Maggio (Harder 54); Zeroli (Romano 54); Pafundi, Camarda (Sia 71)
Talents that will never see the light of day in serie A. Time to move abroad where they will play.
Awake Italian ct, give these u17 n u19 youngster a chance to shine . Look at yamAl.
Bravi raggazzi!
Leave it to Seria A clubs to overlook these wonderfully talented players!
Need these guys in the senior squad
these young plyers will fall in cracks and wont be seen again this is the italian way
Yes, right! Keep them away from serie A! We all want more random foreigners, that’s why we love Italian football.
Great work Azzurrini !
We will probably play Spain in the final let’s take it and show everyone that we have the best youngsters 💪🏼
Forza Azzurri 🔥
We need these guys to be promoted to the senior team
These young players should have played in the European competition, they would have done italy proud 👏