The Italy Under-18s got off to an outstanding start, defeating host Scotland 3-0 at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie in the opening match of Group A2, Leg A, in the first round of the 2026/2027 UEFA European Under-19 qualifiers. This win allows the Azzurrini to move to the top of the group with three points, making the most of the 1-1 draw between Poland and Ireland in Glasgow.

Italy took the lead in the 45'+3 minute through West Bromwich Albion defender Dauda Amihere Iddrisa, before doubling the advantage in the 52nd minute with Empoli striker Thomas Campaniello. Roma forward Antonio Arena (born 2009) sealed the victory in the 72nd minute.

Coach Massimiliano Favo added, "It was a good match. Although in the first fourty-five minutes, we struggled to find a way through because of our opponents’ low block. We did well to score a goal in the first half, putting into practice what we worked on in training. In the second half, already a goal up, everything became easier because the opponents were forced to push forward, giving us more space. We’re delighted, but we can’t forget that our goal is to our goal is to solidify our place in Leg A.”

The Azzurrini will be back in action on Saturday at 12:00 CET at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex in Glasgow, to face Poland.

ITALY 3-0 SCOTLAND (1-0 HT)

Italy (4-3-1-2): Longoni; Iddrisa, Bovio, De Paoli (84' Borasio), Mambuku (61' Marini); Maccaroni, Prisco © (73' Lo Monaco), Ballanti; Damiano (73' Baralla); Campaniello (84' Bonacina), Arena. Substitutes: Cereser (P), Dottori, Ridolfi, Fogliaro. Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Scotland (3-4-2-1): McGuire; Vallance, Osborne ©, Gillie; McAllister (75' Glasgow), Masson, Traynor, Gilligan; Boyd (66' McGrath), Smith (83' Teasdale); North. Substitutes: Shaw (P), Borland, McCallion, Davidson. Coach: Neil MacFarlane.

Referee: Sven Wolfensberger (SUI). Assistants: Claudio Dos Santos (SUI) and Matěj Vlček (CZE). Fourth official: Karel Rouček (CZE).

Goals: 45'+3 Iddrisa (ITA), 52' Campaniello (ITA), 72' Arena (ITA)

Notes: Key moments include Boyd (SCO) 25’, Prisco (ITA) 27’, Arena (ITA) 34’, Ballanti (ITA) 39’, Gilligan (SCO) 43’, De Paoli (ITA) 48’, Masson (SCO) 69’, Iddrisa (ITA) 70’. Stoppage time: 3’, 1’.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Czechia 2027 | Round 1 | Leg A

Group A2: ITALY, Ireland, Poland, Scotland

Matchday 1 (Wednesday, 25 March)

  • Poland 1-1 Ireland

  • ITALY 3-0 Scotland

Standings: ITALY 3, Poland 1, Ireland 1, Scotland 0

Matchday 2 (Saturday, 28 March)

  • 12:00 CET ITALY vs. Poland, Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, Glasgow (SCO)

  • 16:30 CET Ireland vs. Scotland, Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, Glasgow (SCO)

Matchday 3 (Tuesday, 31 March)

  • 20:00 CET Ireland vs ITALY, Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, Glasgow (SCO)

  • 20:00 CET Scotland vs Poland, Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie (SCO)