Portugal beaten 1-0 by Italy in the European U19 Championship final | OneFootball

Portugal’s 2023 European U19 Championship campaign in Malta ended with a 1-0 defeat to Italy in the final at Ta'Qali National Stadium.

The Azzurini were the better team in the first half with Michael Kayode scoring the decisive goal in the 19th minute.

Joaquim Milheiro made two changes at the break which briefly turned the tide in his side’s favour, but the free flowing football displayed in the run to the final was rarely on show.

The defeat brings the summer of action to a close for Portugal’s youth teams, the U17 side knocked out in the group stage in Hungary and the U21 side exiting in the quarter-finals in Georgia.

Italy on top

Italy began brightest in Ta'Qali, Gonçalo Ribeiro nearly caught out after Francesco Pio Esposito was unable to get on the end of a cross from Filippo Missori.

Cher Ndour’s shot sailed over the bar, Luis Hasa’s effort was deflected wide and Esposito headed over the bar.

The pressure persisted with the Azzurini taking the lead in the 19th minute. Hasa sent a dangerous cross towards the back post, Michael Kayode rising above Martim Marques and heading the ball past Ribeiro.

Gabriel Brás and Samuel Justo were booked for fouls on Esposito before Portugal finally showed some attacking intent. Hugo Félix and Martim Marques combined to provide a chance for Rodrigo Ribeiro, the striker thwarted by Davide Mastrantonio.

The action soon returned to the other end with the impressive Hasa involved, forcing a save from Ribeiro before driving the ball narrowly over the bar.

The first half ended with Ndour conceding a dangerous free kick for a late challenge on Gustavo Sá, Hugo Félix unable to steer the free kick on target.

Milheiro makes changes

Joaquim Milheiro had been frequently frustrated on the touchline with his team second best, the manager making two changes at the break with Martim Fernandes and Diogo Prioste replacing Martim Marques and Samuel Justo.

It seemed to do the trick with Portugal starting the second half strong, Prioste shooting straight at Mastrantonio and Sá firing a low drive wide.

The game started to open up with chances coming at both ends. Samuele Vignato went on a long run forward and forced a save from Ribeiro, Sá’s cross finding Fernandes at the back post with the full-back unable to beat Mastrantonio.

Alberto Bollini tried to provide some stability in midfield in the 65th minute, bringing on Luca Lipani for Ndour.

Sá was trying to take over the game with Hugo Félix unusually quiet, Milheiro doing little to help matters when he lost his mind on the touchline and was booked by referee Sven Jablonski.

Hugo Félix fired another free kick over the bar before Sá followed his manager into the book for dissent, the midfielder soon replaced by Herculano Nabian.

Carlos Borges had been having an interesting battle with Kayode throughout the match, the winger brought down in a promising position but Hugo Félix’s free kick sailing straight into the arms of Mastrantonio.

Vignato had a great chance to put the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute but Ribeiro was up to the task, Lipani firing over the bar four minutes later.

Hugo Félix was replaced by Miguel Falé with time running out, Nabian volleying wide in added time.

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Line Up

Portugal (4-3-3): Gonçalo Ribeiro - Gonçalo Esteves, António Ribeiro (Luís Gomes 90+2’), Gabriel Brás, Martim Marques (Martim Fernandes 46’) - Samuel Justo (Diogo Prioste 46’), Nuno Félix, Gustavo Sá (Herculano Nabian 76’) - Hugo Félix  (Miguel Falé 83’), Rodrigo Ribeiro, Carlos Borges