Italy sealed a place in the 2025 European Under-21 Championship at the end of a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste on Tuesday.
Carmine Nunziata’s side took the lead in the first half through Cesare Casadei, and although they were pegged back by the visitors after the break, a point proved enough to secure their first-place finish and book a spot for the U21 Euro that will be taking place next year in Slovakia.
Italy secure spot in Euro U21 Championship with Ireland draw
The Azzurrini conceded two early chances to Ireland but immediately made them pay for their mistakes, as Casadei capitalised on a break that saw Leeds’ Wilfried Gnonto square from the right, allowing him to control the ball and hit a swift low drive to put the hosts ahead.
Gnonto also had chances to double his side’s lead in the first half, as he first hit the crossbar and then sent a penalty earned by Tommaso Baldanzi over the bar.
Ireland fought back after the break and, following a better start to the second half, found the equaliser through Andrew Moran, who slotted the ball past Sebastiano Desplanches.
Italy survived a late scare from Aidomo Emakhu as the visitors tried to mount a final assault to find a goal that would’ve seen them going level on 21 points with the Azzurrini, who eventually secured qualification for the European U21 Championship, which will take place in Slovakia in June 2025.
Italy 1-1 Ireland
Casadei 21 (It); Moran 66 (Ir)
Italy U21: Desplanches; Savona, Ghilardi, Bertola, Zanotti (Turicchia 76); Casadei, Prati, Ndour; Baldanzi (Bonfanti 89), Gnonto (Koleosho 76); Esposito (Fabbian 54).
Ireland U21: Brooks; Abankwah, Adegboyega, MacNulty; Curtis (O’Brien 46), Healy, Adeeko (O’Mahony 81), Mcran, Roughan (Adaramola 46); Kenny (Emakhu 59), Armstrong.