Italy U15s delivered a convincing display against Romania, winning 3-0 in Cervignano del Friuli (Udine) in their third match of the league stage at the 22nd edition of the Torneo delle Nazioni.

The Azzurrini opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Venezia midfielder Sean Luis Ebagua, before doubling their lead in first-half stoppage time thanks to Atalanta defender Mirko Danza. Abdel Salam Musah, the Fiorentina midfielder, then sealed the result to complete a dominant performance.

“I’m satisfied,” said head coach Enrico Battisti. “I knew how eager the boys were to show their value and prove that the defeat to China was just a mishap. I really liked their attitude and personality today, as well as the quality of their play beyond the three goals.”

With this result, Italy finish third in the league stage with six points and qualify for the third-place playoff, scheduled for Friday 1 May (11:00 CEST) in Mossa, where they will face Scotland, who earlier defeated North Macedonia 3-0.

“There’s a hint of regret,” Battisti added, “but the loss to China was an important learning experience. Today the team played the way we want and know they can.”

MATCH REPORT. Italy lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2 formation, making wholesale changes to the starting XI from the defeat to China, with the exception of Cordopatri in attack. Romania responded with a 4-2-3-1, retaining just three players from the side that beat Portugal.

Romania started brightly, with Diniță going close in the third minute, cutting inside from the right and firing narrowly wide. Italy remained composed and responded in the 21st minute, as Cordopatri attempted an acrobatic overhead kick that missed the target.

The breakthrough came after 31 minutes: Danza surged down the right and delivered a cross to the back post, where Ebagua rose to head home with precision. Buoyed by the opener, Italy pushed forward and doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, with Danza finishing clinically from close range after being set up by Vitali.

Italy took a 2-0 lead into the break and continued to control proceedings in the second half. Romania threatened through Buică early on, but his long-range effort was well saved by Bondone. Italy responded quickly, making it 3-0 in the 83rd minute as Musah timed his run perfectly before finishing with his right foot.

Romania attempted to get back into the game through individual efforts from Popa and Marica, but the Italian defence held firm. In the closing stages, Italy nearly added a fourth through substitute Succi, only to be denied by a last-ditch block.

After five minutes of added time, the referee brought the match to a close: a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Italy, who end the league stage in third place with six points.

Torneo delle Nazioni

League Stage (25-29 April): Austria, Czechia, China, Wales, Italy, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia

MATCHDAY 1 (Saturday 25 April – all times in CEST)
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

MATCHDAY 2 (Monday 27 April – all times in CEST)
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

MATCHDAY 3 (Wednesday 29 April – all times in CEST)
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

Finals (Friday 1 May – all times in CEST)

11th place
11:00: Montenegro vs Moldova, Komen (SVN)

9th place
11:00: North Macedonia vs Wales, Bilje (SVN)

7th place
11:00: Romania vs China, Mariano del Friuli (GO)

5th place
11:00: Portugal vs Austria, Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD)

3rd place
11:00: Italy vs Scotland, Mossa (GO)

1st place
18:00: Slovenia vs Czechia, Gradisca d’Isonzo (GO)