Italy’s hopes of winning gold are over, but the Azzurrini will take away something far more valuable from the Mediterranean Games: the experience of competing against high-level opposition and the belief that they can compete with anyone, even while playing three years below the age of their opponents. Daniele Franceschini’s Italy U18 were beaten 3-1 by Tunisia in the semi-finals in 37°C heat in Taranto. The scoreline did not reflect Italy’s performance, with the Azzurrini playing with great authority for as long as their legs allowed. Diego Perillo put Italy ahead in the 21st minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, but the intense heat, a reduced bench and the age gap eventually took their toll in their fourth match in seven days. Italy remain in contention for a medal and will face the losers of Algeria vs Morocco in the bronze-medal match on Sunday at 10:00 CEST at the Stadio Iacovone in Taranto.

RANIERI.

Italy technical director and Club Italia president Claudio Ranieri praised the Azzurrini for their tournament: “I want to congratulate the players, coach Franceschini and his staff. We came to the Mediterranean Games with a team that is three years younger than all the others, and we know how much of a factor that can be. Even today, Tunisia had an average age of 19.9 compared with our 16.9, yet once again we showed that we can compete with anyone, always playing attacking football and displaying the character of a mature team. The tournament is far from over. We’ll continue to support these players, who deserve to finish the tournament with a bronze medal.”

FRANCESCHINI. Franceschini admitted there was disappointment at missing out on the final, but was proud of his players. “There is certainly some feeling of loss because we wanted to reach the final, but I have nothing to reproach these players for. They gave everything. We played and created chances in the first half, but in the second half other factors came into play, such as the heat, fatigue and the age difference. Nonetheless, this remains an important and formative experience. We held our own against our opponents, and through these difficulties the players can grow both individually and as a team. On Sunday, we’ll do our best to win the bronze medal.”

THE MATCH. Missing suspended Baffoh and Olivieri, Italy lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2, with Lupo replacing Sonzogni in goal and Perillo and Casagrande leading the line, supported by Corigliano in the No. 10 role. Italy started confidently and created the first chance after just three minutes, when Donato headed Giammattei’s cross narrowly wide. Corigliano and Perillo combined well, with the latter forcing Besbes into a save in the seventh minute. Tunisia threatened in the 12th minute, but Lupo produced an excellent save to deny Anene before Bousnina’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Diallo. The Azzurrini continued to look dangerous and took the lead in the 21st minute. Corigliano produced a superb backheel to split the Tunisian defence, allowing Giammattei to find Perillo, who made no mistake from close range. Italy went into half-time 1-0 ahead, having largely controlled the first half despite the demanding conditions.

Tunisia came out strongly after the break, with Kada heading narrowly wide in the 50th minute. Italy were increasingly affected by fatigue, struggling to transition up the pitch as Tunisia took control of the game. The equaliser arrived in the 60th minute. A ball played into the right channel allowed Derbali to lift a clever lob over Lupo and make it 1-1. Tunisia continued to apply pressure and completed the comeback in the 75th minute, when Anene finished off a sustained attacking move to put his side 2-1 ahead. Italy responded with a late surge. Dattilo tested Besbes with a left-footed effort, with the goalkeeper parrying the shot before Herch desperately intervened to prevent Landi from converting the rebound. The Azzurrini pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their energy was running low. Tunisia ultimately sealed the victory on the counter-attack in the second minute of stoppage time, with Dhouib making it 3-1.

ITALY 1-3 TUNISIA

Italy: Lupo; Rigo, Donato (86’ Gaffurini), Diallo, Albini (65’ Guaglianone); Giammattei, Ballarin, Rocca (53’ Dattilo); Corigliano; Perillo (65’ Landi), Casagrande. Subs: Sonzogni. Coach: Franceschini

Tunisia: Besbes; Derbali (70’ Chaaben), Herch, Boukadida, Allala; Dhaou (62’ Hmidhi), Kada (62’ Khadhraoui), Labidi (81’ Jraid); Dhouib, Bousnina (62’ Chaabani), Anene. Subs: Hanzouli. Coach: Boujelbene

Goals: 21’ Perillo (I), 60’ Derbali (T), 75’ Anene (T), 90’+2 Dhouib (T)

Referee: Koci (Albania); Assistants: Bouchtaoui (Morocco), Iliev (North Macedonia); Fourth Official: Temsamani (Morocco)

Booked: Kada (T), Anene (T), Corigliano (I); Sent off: Labidi (T).

Attendance: 5,000

 

Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games

Men's Football Tournament

 

Group A: Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia, North Macedonia

Group B: ITALY, Algeria, Kosovo, Albania

 

Group B Matches

Matchday 1, Saturday 22 August

Algeria vs. Kosovo 2-1

ITALY vs. Albania 1-1

Matchday 2, Monday 24 August

Albania vs. Kosovo 3-1

ITALY vs. Algeria 3-1

Matchday 3, Wednesday 26 August

Algeria vs. Albania 2-0

Kosovo vs. ITALY 3-0

Group B Standings

Algeria 6, Italy and Albania 4, Kosovo 0

 

Semi-finals, Friday 28 August | Taranto

SF1) Tunisia vs. Italy 3-1

SF2) Algeria vs. Morocco, 21:00

 

Finals, Sunday 30 August  | Taranto

3rd Place: Italy vs. Loser of SF2, 10:00

1st Place: Tunisia vs. Winner of SF2, 19:00

 

All times in CEST.