A spectacular performance from the Italy Under-15 national team, who beat Scotland 3–1 at the municipal stadium in Mossa, in Gorizia, securing third place in the 22nd edition of the Nations Tournament.

Italy broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Bologna forward Leonard Maria Lima Ramalho. They then doubled their lead in the 29th minute thanks to Roma defender Niccolò Chieffallo, and made it 3–0 just two minutes later with Lima Ramalho again scoring a brace. Before halftime, Enrico Battisti’s side hit the crossbar in the 35th minute through Parma attacking midfielder Lorenzo Vitali. In the second half, Scotland managed to pull one back in the 64th minute through a penalty converted by Celtic striker Zion Pullan.

The Italian coach explained, “I’m pleased with today’s performance, especially the first half, as I had asked the boys to show intensity and personality from the start, just as they had shown against Romania (a 3–0 win). The team responded well in the first 35 minutes, before dropping off in the second half, partly due to the heat and fatigue, but I think that’s understandable. If we have any regrets from the tournament, it would be those ten minutes against China (a 2–0 defeat), which impacted the rest of our journey.”

The Azzurrini will be back in action on Tuesday,19th (17:00) and Thursday, 21st May (11:00) at Novarello, where they will face Serbia in the final fixtures of the season. Battisti added, “It will be another important test to evaluate the players and to gain international experience.”

MATCH REPORT

Italy lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, making four changes compared to the starting XI that beat Romania 3–0 in Cervignano del Friuli two days earlier: Posocco replaced Bondone in goal, Nebatumbu and Chieffallo came in for Cacucciolo and Savarese in defence, while Cordopatri made way for Diofebo in attack. Scotland responded with a 4-4-2, the same system used in their 3–0 win over North Macedonia in Lignano Sabbiadoro, keeping only Johnstone in defence and Ihmig in midfield.

After an early opportunity from Scotland in the ninth minute, with Sassetti’s right-footed effort denied by Posocco, Italy nearly took the lead in the 17th minute when Vitali’s free-kick cross narrowly missed the right post. Vitali was involved again in the 23rd minute, setting up the opener for Lima Ramalho, who controlled in the box and fired home with his left foot. Boosted by the lead, Italy pushed forward and nearly made it 2–0 through Diofebo in the 27th minute before Chieffallo doubled the advantage two minutes later, breaking the offside line and finishing beautifully into the top corner. The Azzurrini were in full control and added a third in the 31st minute, Lima Ramalho heading in Vitali’s cross at the far post. Before halftime, Italy struck the crossbar through Vitali with a lob from 25 metres. The score at the break was 3–0.

In the second half, Scotland pushed higher up the pitch and threatened from set pieces in the 40th minute through Mensing, whose effort was saved by Posocco. Italy responded in the 47th minute with Cacucciolo, who narrowly missed after a Chieffallo free-kick. In the closing stages, Scotland were awarded a penalty for a handball by Musah, which Pullan converted in the 64th minute. After five minutes of added time, referee Giacomo Currelli blew the final whistle. It ended 3–1 to Italy, who secured third place with a solid, mature, dominant performance.

 

Nations Tournament

Group stage (25–29 April): Austria, Czechia, China, Wales, ITALY, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia

Round 1 (Saturday 25 April)
13:00 Austria 2–2 Romania
15:30 Scotland 2–1 Montenegro
17:00 Portugal 2–2 Czechia
17:00 Slovenia 2–1 China
18:00 ITALY 3–0 Wales
18:00 Moldova 0–3 North Macedonia

Round 2 (Monday 27 April)
13:00 Czechia 2–1 Austria
15:30 Montenegro 1–1 Moldova
17:00 Romania 2–1 Portugal
17:00 Slovenia 2–0 Scotland
18:00 China 2–0 ITALY
18:00 North Macedonia 1–2 Wales

Round 3 (Wednesday 29 April)
11:00 Scotland 3–0 North Macedonia
13:00 Austria 1–0 China
15:30 Moldova 1–4 Czechia
17:00 Wales 1–3 Slovenia
17:00 Portugal 2–0 Montenegro
18:00 ITALY 3–0 Romania

Standings: Slovenia 9, Czechia 7, ITALY 6 (+4), Scotland 6 (+2), Portugal 4 (+1), Austria 4 (0), Romania 4 (-1), China 3 (0), North Macedonia 3 (-1), Wales 3 (-4), Montenegro 1 (-3), Moldova 1 (-6)

Knockout stage (Friday 1 May)

11th place: Montenegro 0–1 Moldova
9th place: North Macedonia 0–2 Wales
7th place: Romania 1–0 China
5th place: Portugal 2–2 Austria (6–7 pens)
3rd place: ITALY 3–1 Scotland
1st place: Slovenia 2–1 Czechia