Italy maintained their 100 per cent start to the Under-19 European Championship, beating Slovakia 1-0 with Giuseppe Ambrosino’s goal, but there could’ve been far more.
The Azzurri had started the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Romania, while France thrashed hosts Slovakia 5-0.
Napoli’s 18-year-old striker Ambrosino scored the only goal this evening with a powerful shot from a tight angle into the far top corner, meeting a slide-rule pass from Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti.
Italy could easily have scored more goals, as only the crossbar kept out both Miretti and Ambrosino before the breakthrough arrived on 33 minutes.
Slovakia’s best opportunity was a Timotej Jambor header in the second half, palmed away acrobatically by Milan goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches.
Italy will go head-to-head with France for top spot in the group on Friday June 24, kicking off at 16.30 UK time (15.30 GMT).
Slovakia 0-1 Italy
Ambrosino 33 (I)