Azzurini through to the European Championship finals: a 1-1 draw with Turkiye is enough, as Catanzaro celebrates with the team

Inacio put Italy ahead in the first half, with Soylu equalising in the second. Bollini’s team is now among Europe’s top eight and head to Wales from June 28 to July 11. The coach: “A well-deserved qualification, congratulations to the players and staff for achieving this goal.”

March 31, 2026 • 16:00

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Under-19

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This time, the celebration in Catanzaro is all Italy’s. At the same stadium where, a year ago, their dream of reaching Europe’s top eight was dashed, the Italy Under-19s have secured a place in the European Championship finals. They will travel to Wales from June 28 to July 11, with the Azzurrini, 2023 champions, returning to the final stage after a year away. A 1-1 draw was enough against Turkiye, who were level on points after the first two games thanks to goal difference.Italy took the lead in the first half with a brilliant goal from Samuele Inacio, making his Elite Round debut after serving the last two match suspensions carried over from the U17 World Cup, before Soylu equalised with a second-half free-kick.

Alberto Bollini, Under 19 coach, celebrating with the team

BOLLINI “Congratulations to the whole team and to the staff for achieving qualification,” said coach Alberto Bollini. “Last year we missed out on the finals on bad luck, in a group with France and Spain. Today, we played as a team that knew how to control the game and stay focused and in football, you also need to handle the tough moments. We’ve conceded just one goal across two group stages, which shows we’re clear on our game plan. At this age, having two favourable results can be a double-edged sword, but I said before the match and at halftime that this was a game to play to win, while keeping our attacking approach.”

Mattia Liberali congratulates Samuele Inacio after his goal made it 1-0

THE MATCH Reggiani returned to the back line after the nose injury he suffered against Hungary. In midfield, Mantini stepped in for the suspended Sala, flanked by Liberali (captain, playing in his “home” stadium) and Coletta. Up front, Inacio made his debut, with Mosconi leading the line as centre-forward as Iddrissou was not fully fit. Coletta tested Aydin with a shot to the near post, then Natali went close with a header off the following corner. Turhan had the first shot on Pessina’s goal, while on the other end, Aydin kept out Mosconi’s header from an Inacio cross, with Pessina alert again at the 21st minute to stop Aslan’s attempt. Italy produced some brilliant play in the 31st minute. Natali passed to Cocchi, who delivered a low first-time cross for Coletta, but he couldn’t get a shot away while falling. The ball fell to Samuele Inacio instead, and in the 33rd minute he beat Aydin with an unstoppable shot under the bar.

Italy had two chances in the first minute of the second half. Aydin denied Mosconi first, and then, from a corner, blocked Natali’s header. But in the 17th minute, almost out of nowhere, Turkiye equalised with a brilliant free-kick from Soylu – the first and only goal Italy have conceded in six qualification matches. With 18 minutes remaining, Bollini made his first and only substitution: Coletta off, Comotto on, with Idele dropping back and Nardin moving closer to Reggiani and Natali to form a back five when out of possession. The final minutes were tense for Italy, but the final whistle brought relief, followed by a huge celebration with over 2,000 spectators at the ‘Ceravolo’. The Azzurrini will be heading to Wales at the end of June.

TURKIYE 1-1 ITALY (0-1 HT)

TURKIYE (4-3-3): Aydin; Tivsiz, Kadioglu, Kara, Ofli; Yasar (Sen 46’), Atsup (Ince 87’), Soylu (Altundag 83’); Aslan, Turhan, Bulut (Cakiroglu 74’). Substitutes: Albayrak, Unyay, Lus, Maldar, Sener. Coach: Inceman

ITALY (4-3-3): Pessina; Nardin, Reggiani, Natali, Cocchi; Coletta (Comotto 72’), Mantini, Liberali; Idele, Mosconi, Inacio. Substitutes: Vannucchi, Iddrissou, Leandri, Steffanoni, Marello, Galvagno, Verde. Coach: Bollini

Referee: Nikolic (Serbia). Assisants: Rijavec (Serbia), Le Tellier (Francia). Fourth Official: Dechepy (Francia)

Goals: 33’ Inacio (I), 62' Soylu (T)

Yellow cards: Atsup (T), Reggiani (I), Cocchi (I), Altundag (T), Ince (T), Pessina (I), Ofli (T)

UEFA Under 19-Championship Wales 2026 | Elite Round

Group 6: ITALY, Turkiye, Slovakia, Hungary

Matchday 1 (Wednesday, March 25)

Slovakia 0-1 Turkiye

ITALY 3-0 Hungary

Matchday 2 (Saturday, March 28)

Turkiye 3-2 Hungary

ITALY 3-0 Slovakia

Matchday 3 (Tuesday, March 31)

Turkiye 1-1 ITALY

Hungary 4-2 Slovakia

Standings:

ITALY (GD +6) 7 points

Turkiye (GD +2) 7 points

Hungary 3 points

Slovakia 1 point