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Italy’s Under-18s saw their World Cup dream end as they suffered a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Austria in front of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger and Chairman of the Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina.
The Azzurrini had enjoyed a perfect run up to this point, winning all six of their previous matches. The first three came in Group A – against hosts Qatar (1-0), Bolivia (4-0) and South Africa (3–1) – allowing them to finish the group stage on maximum points (9) for the first time. The next three victories — over Czechia in the round of 32 (2-0), Asian champions Uzbekistan in the last 16 (3-2) and Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals (1-0) – secured a historic place in the semi-finals for the first time in seven tournament appearances (1991, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2019 and 2025).
Italy’s loss arrived following a brace from Liefering midfielder Johannes Moser, who scored in the 57th minute and again in stoppage time. The Azzurrini finished with ten men after Juventus defender Benit Borasio – brought on in the 82nd minute for Luca Reggiani – was sent off following a review by the Football Video Support system.
“We were excellent in the first half, forcing Austria back into their own half and preventing the counter-attacks that are their trademark,” said Massimiliano Favo. “In the second half, unfortunately, we conceded a goal in exactly that way and, even though we made a few adjustments, we drifted away from the kind of football that has always characterised us. It’s a shame about the result, because the boys have had an extraordinary run, playing positive, entertaining football. As I reminded them in the dressing room, this World Cup isn’t over: in three days, we’re playing for a medal – the first ever for our Federation in this competition – and we have a duty to do everything we can to bring it home.”
The Azzurrini, who will have to do without the suspended Borasio and Samuele Inácio, will return to action on Thursday 27 November (15:30 local time / 13:30 CET) on Pitch 7 in the Aspire Zone in Doha for the third place play-off, where they will face Brazil. After a 0-0 draw in regular time, the Brazilians lost 6-5 on penalties to European champions Portugal today.
“They are an extremely strong team with excellent physical and technical qualities, capable of changing the tempo and causing problems for anyone,” Favo noted. “Facing them means testing ourselves against one of the best sides in world youth football, a challenge that naturally carries a certain appeal.”
MATCH REPORT. Italy, forced to do without the suspended Marini in defence, stuck with the 4-3-1-2 formation that saw them overcome Burkina Faso 1-0 in the quarter-finals on Friday, albeit with three changes: De Paoli came in for Borasio to play alongside captain Reggiani at centre-back, while Arena and Lontani made way for Campaniello – the match-winner last time out – and Elimoghale.
Austria lined up in a 4-2-3-1, the same system they used in their 1-0 win over Japan three days earlier, making a single change as the suspended Ndukwe was replaced by Savic in central defence.
The Azzurrini started strongly and immediately threatened through Inácio, but the No.10’s close-range left-footed effort went just wide of the target. A minute later, it was Campaniello’s turn to have a go, with his strike from distance flying just wide. Favo’s side were mainly pushing down the flanks: first Iddrisa and then Mambuku delivered two inviting crosses, but Luongo and the Azzurrini’s No.2 were unable to connect properly. At the other end, after Italy had given possession away, Longoni was alert to deny both Jozepovic and then Deshishku. The Azzurrini were controlling the game and, from a free-kick by Prisco on the left, created another chance as Elimoghale’s strike from the edge of the box was blocked by a defender. After two minutes of stoppage time, the teams went into the break on level terms.
In the second half, after Inácio’s right-footed effort was blocked by Posch, there was a big setback, with Moser putting Austria ahead with a precise left-footed strike that kissed the post before nestling in the net. Favo’s side tried to respond immediately, but neither Campaniello’s header nor Mambuku’s long-range effort found the target. In the closing stages, Borasio, newly introduced, was initially shown a yellow card by the referee, but the decision was overturned following a review prompted by Austria’s request to the Football Video Support (FVS) system: Borasio was instead shown a straight red, leaving Italy with ten men in the 92nd minute. Moser curled home from the resulting free-kick, sealing Austria’s place in the final against Portugal and condemning the Azzurrini to a third place play-off against Brazil.
AUSTRIA 2-0 ITALY
Austria (4-2-3-1): Posch; Feldinger, Savic, Pokorny ©, Hofmann; Weinhandl, Markovic; Deshishku (90+6’ Aleksic), Werner (59’ Husic), Moser; Jozepovic (75’ Frauscher). Substitutes: Scharner (P), Katzmayr (P), Nzogang, Ganser, Halmich. Head Coach: Hermann Stadler.
Italy (4-3-1-2): Longoni; Iddrisa (82’ Arena), De Paoli, Reggiani © (82’ Borasio), Mambuku; Steffanoni, Prisco (69’ Maccaroni), Luongo; Inácio; Elimoghale (54’ Lontani), Campaniello. Substitutes: Cereser (P), Bovio, Baralla, Pandolfi, Nava (P). Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo.
Referee: Fernando Véjar (Chile). Assistant referee 1: Juan Serrano (Chile). Assistant referee 2: Carlos Poblete (Chile). Fourth official: Filip Dujic (Canada). Reserve assistant referee: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt (Canada).
Goals: 57’ and 90+3’ Moser (AUT).
Notes: Yellow cards for Luongo (ITA) 13’, Mambuku (ITA) 39’, Pokorny (AUT) 45+2’, Lontani (ITA) 69’ and Markovic (AUT) after full-time. Red cards for Borasio (ITA) 90+2’ and Inácio (ITA) after full-time. Stoppage time: 2’, 6’.