Azzurrini suffer narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in Las Rozas. Favo: “We were unlucky.”

The Italy U18s open 2026 with a defeat. After securing a historic bronze medal at the most recent U17 World Cup, the Azzurrini were beaten 1–0 by Spain in today’s friendly on Pitch A at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas.

The decisive goal came in the 41st minute from Barcelona midfielder Pedro Rodríguez Iglesias.

“We were very unlucky,” head coach Massimiliano Favo said, “as shown by the two shots that hit the woodwork in the first half, first Elimoghale and then Campaniello. Despite the result, I’m very satisfied with the team’s performance. After the World Cup, the squad has kept its identity intact and went out to impose themselves on the pitch. The only negative, clearly, is the way we conceded the goal, but it’s not an error to be condemned, as it comes from the tactical work I want the players to keep carrying out [building from the back, ed.]. Today we were punished, but this approach has worked more often than not.”

MATCH REPORT. Italy lined up in a 4-3-1-2, with Luongo operating behind the attacking pair of Campaniello and 2009-born Elimoghale.

Spain responded with a 4-2-3-1, spearheaded by Miguel Llorente and supported by the trio of Alexis Ciria, Toni Fernández and Adrián Pérez.

After a probing initial spell, Elimoghale tried to strike first in the 11th minute with an effort across goal from 25 metres that skimmed the post. Seven minutes later, Campaniello rattled the hosts with a powerful shot that crashed off the crossbar. Spain replied a minute later, but Miguel Llorente’s angled left-footed shot drifted just wide. Italy threatened again in the 28th minute through Elimoghale, whose left-footed diagonal effort went wide from a good position.

After several chances for Spain, with Alexis Ciria forcing a save from Cereser with a low drive in the 32nd minute, and Toni Fernández firing just over from the edge of the area in the 40^th, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock: Pedro Rodríguez capitalised on a loose ball from Dottori on the edge of Italy’s box and fired home to put Spain ahead four minutes before the break.

The second half, marked by numerous substitutions on both sides, saw Italy push for an equaliser. Campaniello went close again in the 56th minute, meeting Maccaroni’s assist at the near post but failing to hit the target. Moments later, Maccaroni cut in from the left and shot over the bar. Spain’s attempt to extend their lead came in the 62nd minute, when substitute Igor Oyono narrowly missed a tap-in from close range on a cross from fellow substitute Álex Diego.

In the closing stages, Italy tried once more through Baralla, but the No.14’s effort from 20 metres out sailed well over in the 78th minute. After one minute of stoppage time, added by referee Álvaro Rodríguez, the match ended 1–0 to Spain – a defeat that leaves a bitter taste for Favo’s side, who deserved a very different start to the year.