A night to remember once again. Daniele Franceschini's Italy Under-17s defeated Spain 4-2 on penalties at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn after a 1-1 draw in normal time in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Estonia, securing the fifth final appearance in their history after the disappointments of 2013 in Slovakia (Italy 0-0 Russia, 4-5 on penalties, 17 May), 2018 in England (Italy 1-1 Netherlands, 1-4 on penalties, 20 May) and 2019 in Ireland (Netherlands 4-2 Italy, 19 May), followed by their historic and, so far, only triumph in Cyprus in 2024 (Italy 3-0 Portugal, 5 June).

Italy took the lead in the first half thanks to a penalty won and converted by Fiorentina playmaker Federico Croci, born in 2010, in the 42nd minute. Spain then equalised in the second half through Athletic Club full-back Mikel Urrestarazu, in the 77th minute. In the shootout, alongside the decisive penalty converted by Inter defender Edoardo Dario Rocca, Lecce goalkeeper Christian Lupo proved decisive. After saving a penalty from Athletic Club forward Christian Imga in the 29th minute of the first half, he repeated the feat in the shootout by denying first Atlético Madrid midfielder Ian Mencía and then Real Madrid forward Enzo Alves, son of former Brazil international Marcelo, who was in the stands watching the match.

"I'm happy," said the Italy coach, "not only because we have reached such an important milestone as a European final, but also because of the journey that has brought us the opportunity to compete in it. From Round 1 to Round 2 and throughout this final tournament, the players have grown match after match, becoming increasingly aware of their own abilities and fully deserving everything they have achieved. I'm really proud of them."

The Azzurrini will return to action at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn on Sunday 7 June (20:00 local time, 19:00 CET), when they will face Belgium for the continental title. In the other semi-final, played earlier in the day (14:30 local time, 13:30 CET) at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Belgium defeated France 2-1 thanks to goals from Anderlecht duo Jayden Onia Seke and Ilyas Benktib, while Arone Gadou of Stade de Reims scored for Les Bleus. "Over the next few days," Franceschini added, "we will focus on recovering our energy. I'll tell the team what I always tell them: enjoy the moment, have fun and do what they do best, which is play football."

MATCH REPORT. Italy lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2 formation, the same system used in Monday's 3-3 draw with Denmark at the Kalevi Central Stadium in their final Group B match, making four changes to the starting XI. Bonifazi replaced Dattilo at right-back, Okon-Engstler came in for Ballarin in midfield, while 2010-born Croci and Corigliano replaced Landi and Fugazzola respectively in the attacking midfield role and alongside Perillo in attack.

Spain responded with the 4-3-3 formation used in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Croatia at the Rakvere City Stadium in their final Group A fixture, retaining only two players from the starting XI: centre-back Mario Díaz and 2010-born midfielder Ebrima Tounkara.

The Spaniards started better and came close to taking the lead in the seventh minute through Ian Mencía, but the No7's left-footed effort sailed over the crossbar. Franceschini's side responded immediately and nearly scored in the 15th minute through Corigliano, whose acrobatic effort from Albini's cross from the left went narrowly over. Spain threatened again in the 28th minute when Christian Imga beat Bonifazi on the left and won a penalty. One minute later, however, the Spanish No20 was denied by Lupo, who preserved the 0-0 scoreline with a fine save low to his right. The Azzurrini remained composed and grew into the match as the half progressed, eventually earning a penalty of their own through Croci, whose right-footed effort was blocked in the area by Mario Díaz in the 40th minute. Croci stepped up himself and sent Guille Ponce the wrong way, finding the bottom-right corner with a right-footed finish in the 42nd minute. In the first of two added minutes at the end of the half, Spain threatened through Zamorano, but the No14's left-footed strike from 20 metres went wide. Italy therefore went into the break leading 1-0.

The Azzurrini started the second half strongly and almost doubled their lead in the 46th minute when Biondini headed narrowly wide from a perfect Croci cross from the right. In their search for an equaliser, Spain gradually increased the tempo and threatened through Ian Mencía in the 53rd minute and Raúl Expósito five minutes later, but neither effort found the target. The Spaniards continued to push and struck the crossbar in the 72nd minute through substitute Enzo Alves, who rose highest at the far post to meet Rubén Gómez's cross from the right. It proved to be a warning of what was to come, as Spain equalised five minutes later through Urrestarazu, who reacted quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area to make it 1-1.

Lupo took centre stage in the shootout, saving penalties from Ian Mencía and Enzo Alves to put the tie in Italy's favour. Franceschini's side, meanwhile, were flawless from the spot through Corigliano, Casagrande, Dattilo and Rocca, whose decisive penalty secured a 5-3 aggregate shootout victory and a place in the European final.

 

ITALY 1-1 SPAIN (4-2 pens)

Italy (4-3-1-2): Lupo; Bonifazi, Donato, Varali, Albini (46' Dattilo); Biondini ©, Okon-Engstler (89’ Ballarin), Gasparello (58' Rocca); Corigliano; Perillo (74' Landi), Croci (58' Casagrande). Subs.: Giaretta (P), Diallo, Fugazzola, Puricelli. Coach: Daniele Franceschini.

Spain (4-3-3): Guille Ponce; Raúl Expósito, Mario Díaz ©, Sergi Mayans, Jordi Pesquer; Ebrima Tounkara, Zamorano (75' Cherif Fofana), Ian Mencía; Badji (75' Urrestarazu), Roberto Tomás (57' Enzo Alves), Christian Imga (65' Rubén Gómez). Subs.: Osuchukwu (P), Mauro Valeiro, Cases, Jorge Domínguez, Joaquín Sánchez. Coach: Sergio García.

Referee: Tom Owen (WAL). Linesmen: Lewis Edwards (WAL) and Eraklis Komodromos (CYP). Fourth Official: Konstantinos Fellas (CYP).

Goals: 42’ pens. Croci (ITA), 77’ Urrestarazu (ESP).
Penalty shootout: Sergi Mayans (ESP) goal, Corigliano (ITA) goal, Ian Mencía (ESP) saved, Casagrande (ITA) goal, Enzo Alves (ESP) saved, Dattilo (ITA) goal, Jordi Pesquer (ESP) goal, Rocca (ITA) goal.

Notes: bookings; Bonifazi (ITA) 28’, Sergi Mayans (ESP) 60’, Okon-Engstler (ITA) 61’, Mauro Valeiro (ESP) 81’, Rocca (ITA) 88’. Added time: 2’, 5’.