In their first match of 2026, Italy U20 drew 3–3 after producing a remarkable comeback in an entertaining friendly against England U20. Despite matching – and at times outperforming – their highly rated opponents, the Azzurrini found themselves three goals down at the start of the second half. They did not lose heart, however, and in just over twenty minutes (from the 67th to the 89th minute) fought back from 0–3 to 3–3, showing great determination.

“I have to congratulate the whole group,” said coach Carmine Nunziata after the match, “both those who started and those who came on. The players showed unity and a real desire not to give up, to keep believing at all times, even when we were clearly behind. Aside from a few mistakes on the goals we conceded, the overall assessment of the performance is certainly positive: we always tried to play our football, and we did it well.” 

THE MATCH.

At the Riano Athletic Center, just outside Rome, the first half offered few real chances until the 14th minute, when Italy came close to taking the lead. Matteo Vavassori intercepted a misplaced pass from the English defence and drove forward before laying the ball off to Flavio Rao, but he narrowly missed the target. The momentum switched almost immediately. In the 15th minute, Noah Noala set up Ethan Watson with a fine assist, and the striker – making his first appearance at U20 level – controlled with his right foot before finishing with his left. Italy tried to respond with attempts from Rao (25') and Vavassori (33'), but the best chance to equalise came in the 35th minute. Vavassori won a penalty after being fouled by Ayden Heaven, yet Giacomo Lavelli saw his effort saved by goalkeeper George Herrick. Just before the break, Watson doubled England’s lead with a header from a cross by Mateo Pinto.

Two substitutions marked the start of the second half for Italy, with Alessandro Siviero replacing Tommaso Martinelli in goal and Alessandro Ciammaglichella coming on for Benjamin Nuamah. England extended their lead to 3–0 in the 13th minute, when Heaven headed home from a corner. Italy, however, refused to give up. After further substitutions – with Alessandro Di Nunzio, Tommaso Cassa and Riccardo Postiglione entering the match – Lavelli narrowly missed another chance before Vavassori struck the outside of the post. The comeback finally began in the 67th minute when Lavelli scored after a solo run, making amends for the earlier penalty miss. Five minutes later, Italy reduced the deficit to 3–2 from a corner, with Gabriele Stabile cleverly flicking in a shot from Mattia Cama. Nunziata made two more changes in the 80th minute, introducing Andrea Mirra and Matteo Romani. Then, in the 89th minute, the comeback was complete. Moments after England struck the post through Olamide Jimoh-Aloba, Italy countered. The ball reached Cassa on the right, whose cross flashed across the six-yard box where Vavassori arrived to finish — with a backheel — and make it 3–3. Both sides pushed for a winner during stoppage time, but the score remained unchanged, bringing an end to a thrilling encounter.