A deafening roar. 16,500 fans leapt to their feet and erupted in celebration. It was the 96th minute of Italy vs. Kosovo at the Iacovone in Taranto, the final Group B match of the Mediterranean Games, and Diego Perillo had just scored. A minute earlier, the Azzurrini were up 2-0 and had already come close to pulling off a near-miracle. To reach the semi-finals and leapfrog Albania in the standings, they needed to beat a side two years older by three goals and hope that Algeria defeated Albania in the other game by at least two. As the final whistle in Francavilla Fontana confirmed Algeria's 2-0 victory, Italy were on the attack in the 96th minute, in desperate search of the qualifying goal. Until then, it had been a game of missed chances; despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead, Franceschini's side had wasted countless goalscoring opportunities. But Perillo delivered when it mattered most. The penalty-box striker showed his goalscoring instinct, finding the net and making it 3-0. The Iacovone erupted. It was the qualifying goal that kept the dream of a medal alive. Italy are in the semi-finals and will face Group A winners Tunisia in Taranto at 10.30 CEST on Friday.
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FRANCESCHINI. Daniele Franceschini was delighted with his side's performance: “We experienced indescribable emotions. I want to thank the fans in Taranto, they were incredible, and we're proud to have repaid them with a great performance. The players showed great spirit and a real desire to play. We put our hearts into it without worrying and got our reward in the end. It felt like the goal was cursed because we had so many chances, but I always remained confident. I've always tried to teach the boys never to lose their composure or identity, and once again we managed to do that.”
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THE MATCH. Franceschini opted for his tried-and-tested 4-3-1-2, with Corigliano returning to the starting lineup behind the two forwards. Perillo started on the bench, with Landi and Casagrande leading the line. The first big chance arrived in the sixth minute when Casagrande fired a low ball into the middle received by Corigliano, whose side-footed effort was saved by Qela. Two minutes later, Landi had an opportunity from Dattilo's delivery, but his close-range touch went straight to Qela. The Azzurrini were dangerously pushing forward; in the 15th minute, Qela dived to turn away a nice curling left-footed effort from Corigliano before Italy failed to score at the next chance. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 30th minute when, after a lengthy scramble in the box, Giammattei’s right-footed shot across goal made it 1-0. Three minutes later, Kosovo came close to scoring in bizarre fashion when Sonzogni’s punch to the ball made it spin backwards and strike the post. It was Kosovo's best chance of the first half.
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SECOND HALF. Italy continued to control the game and create chances after the break. In the opening ten minutes, Dattilo, Corigliano and then Casagrande twice came close to doubling the lead. On the hour mark, Italy passed up another huge opportunity when Giammattei fired a low cross into the middle for Casagrande, who over-shot it from close range. News then came through from Francavilla Fontana that Algeria had taken the lead against Albania, but the Azzurrini still needed more goals to turn the standings in their favour. Kosovo suddenly threatened in the 70th minute when Mehemeti's right-footed effort from the middle of the box escaped Sonzogni but crashed against the crossbar. Algeria doubled their lead and, with 16 minutes remaining, Italy were able to put themselves back in contention with a penalty. Casagrande stepped up and made no mistake, making it 2-0 and leaving the Azzurrini just one goal away from qualification. The closing stages were not for the faint-hearted; Italy knew one more goal would send them into the semi-finals and relentlessly stayed on the attack. The 16,500 fans in Taranto could have made the stadium explode with the number of chances created. In the sixth minute of added time, Perillo scored the qualifying goal to make it 3-0. Italy and the Iacovone celebrated together.
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ITALY 3-0 KOSOVO (HT 1-0)

Italy (4-3-1-2): Sonzogni; Rigo, Donato, Gaffurini (Diallo 90’+3), Dattilo (Rocca 62’); Baffoh (Ballarin 79’), Olivieri, Giammattei (Albini 79’); Corigliano; Casagrande, Landi (Perillo 62’). Subs: Lupo, Guaglianone. Coach: Franceschini

Kosovo (4-3-3): Qela; D. Gashi, Salihu, Hetemaj, Syla; Hajdini (Grezda 65’), Krasniqi (Suplja 65’), Shala (Selimi 79’); Ahmeti, Imeri, Mehmeti. Subs: Gutaj. Coach: Kryeziu

Goals: 30’ Giammattei (I), 75’ pen. Casagrande (I), 90’+6 Perillo (I)

Referee: Ergun (Türkiye); Assistants: Celebi (Türkiye), Skrban (Slovenia); Fourth official: Belaid (Tunisia)

Notes: booked Mehmeti (K), Shala (K), Landi (I), Suplja (K), Baffoh (I). Attendance: 16,500

 

Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games

Men's Football Tournament

Group A: Morocco, Türkiye, Tunisia, North Macedonia

Group B: ITALY, Algeria, Kosovo, Albania

Group B fixtures

Matchday 1, Saturday 22 August

Algeria 2-1 Kosovo

ITALY 1-1 Albania

Matchday 2, Monday 24 August

Albania 3-1 Kosovo

ITALY 3-1 Algeria

Matchday 3, Wednesday 26 August

Algeria 2-0 Albania

Kosovo 3-0 ITALY

Group B standings

Algeria 6, Italy and Albania 4, Kosovo 0
 

Semi-finals, Friday 28 August | Taranto

S1) Tunisia vs Italy, 10:30 CEST

S2) Algeria vs Morocco, 21:00 CEST

 

Finals, Sunday 30 August | Taranto

Third place Loser S1 vs Loser S2, 10:00 CEST

First place Winner S1 vs Winner S2, 19:00 CEST

*photos by Rocco Pedone