The Italy Under-18 side, who are bronze medallists at the last Under-17 World Cup held in Qatar in November, secured a 2–1 win over Ireland at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex in Glasgow on matchday three, the final round of Group A2 in League A of the first qualifying phase for next season’s Under-19 European Championship.

The Azzurrini took the lead in the first half thanks to a brace from Roma striker Antonio Arena, born in 2009, who scored in the 3rd and 46th minute. In the second half, Ireland pulled one back in the 56th minute through Burnley winger Kian McMahon-Brown.

Thanks to this result, Italy are group leaders with seven points, ahead of hosts Scotland on six. Poland are relegated to League B with two points, the same as Ireland, who stay in place thanks to a greater goal difference (-1 compared to -3).

IRELAND 1-2 ITALY (HT 0–2)

Ireland (4-3-3): Noonan; Cullen J., McDonagh, Sherlock, Solanke (62’ Murphy); McDonnell, Finneran (C), Atherton (62’ Ogbonna); McAteer, Martos, Brown.
Substitutes: Cullen L. (GK), Tollett, Akinrintoyo, Oladiti, Brody, O’Neill.
Head coach: John Cotter.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Longoni; Iddrisa, Bovio (C), De Paoli, Marini (59’ Ridolfi); Dottori (46’ Mambuku), Baralla, Maccaroni (88’ Borasio); Damiano (83’ Lo Monaco); Campaniello (59’ Fogliaro), Arena.
Substitutes: Cereser (GK), Mambuku, Bonacina.
Head coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Referee: Karel Rouček (CZE).
Assistants: Matěj Vlček (CZE), Michael MacDermid (SCO).
Fourth official: Jamie Wilkie (SCO).

Goalscorers: 3’ Arena (ITA), 46’ Arena (ITA), 56’ McMahon-Brown (IRL).

Bookings: Baralla (ITA) 72’, Ridolfi (ITA) 75’, McMahon-Brown (IRL) 78’, Mambuku (ITA) 87’.
Added time: 0’, 3’

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Czechia 2027 | Round 1 | League A

Group A2: Italy, Ireland, Poland, Scotland

Matchday 1 (Wednesday 25 March)
Poland 1-1 Ireland
Italy 3-0 Scotland

Matchday 2 (Saturday 28 March)
Italy 1-1 Poland
Ireland 3-3 Scotland

Standings: Italy 4, Poland 2, Ireland 2, Scotland 1

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 31 March)
Ireland 1-2 Italy
Scotland 3-0 Poland