U19 Euro: Italy 0-0 Spain (0-1 a.e.t) – Holders knocked out in semi-final | OneFootball

Italy have been knocked out of the U19 European Championships after a 1-0 loss in extra time to Spain at Windsor Park in Belfast on Thursday afternoon.

Italy knocked out of U19 European Championship

The Azzurrini had created the fairer share of the chances in the original 90, but were unable to convert any of them and were subsequently forced to head back out for an additional half hour.

A sweetly-struck free-kick from the impressive Simone Pafundi grazed the outside of the post after just 15 minutes, which turned out to be Italy’s closest effort of the game.

Five minutes after the half-time interval, Milan talent Kevin Zeroli squandered another chance to put Italy 1-0 up.

His teammate Davide Bartesaghi carried the ball virtually the length of the pitch before getting a cross away from the byline, but Zeroli was not able to get himself into the right position to apply the finishing touches.

Spain made a double substitution just shy of the hour mark, bringing on Pol Fortuny and David Mella, both of whom helped to shift the momentum in favour of La Roja.

Luca Di Maggio had a long-range effort pushed past the post for a corner 62 minutes in, before Pafundi failed to get a shot away in the area a few minutes later.

As the 90 drew to a close, it became clear that both coaches were beginning to prepare for an extra half hour. That was signalled by the replacement of teenage sensation Francesco Camarda after 87 minutes.

It took 10 minutes of the additional period for the breakthrough to be found. Substitute Fortuny applied the final touch after a neat interchange on the left-hand side from Mella and Julio Diaz, leaving Italy with just 20 minutes to come up with a response.

The glorious opportunity fell to Zeroli with just three minutes remaining on the clock. Diego Sia did incredibly well to keep the ball from going out of play, before squaring to the Milan man, who made a bit of a hash of the finish.

Missed opportunities were the overriding theme for Italy on Thursday, and had they had their shooting boots on, they may have been able to see their opposition off within the original 90.

The reigning 2023 champions are now out. Spain, who are the joint-most successful nation in the U19 European Championships, along with England on 11 overall wins, will go on to face the winner of Thursday’s other semi-final between France and Ukraine in Belfast on Sunday evening.

Full time: Italy 0-0 Spain (0-1 a.e.t)

Fortuny (S) 100’.

Italy (4-3-1-2) : Marin; Mannini, Mane, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Chiammaglichella (71′ Magni), Lipani (71′ Harder), Di Maggio, Zeroli, Pafundi, Camarda (85′ Ebone).

Spain (4-3-3) : Raul Jimenez; Perea, Simo, Gasiorowski, Julio Diaz; Belaid (102′ Senhadji), Chema Andres, Hernandez (55′ Mella); Dani Rodriguez (85′ Jesus Rodriguez), Iker Bravo, Diao (55′ Fortuny).