Any dreams of winning gold may be over, but an Olympic medal is still within reach. Italy's women's futsal team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine in the Youth Olympic Games semifinal in Dakar, with the match at the Dakar Arena effectively being decided in the first half. The Azzurrine fell behind in the 11th minute but equalised just two minutes later. After a fiercely contested opening period, however, they lost their shape in the closing stages and went into the break trailing 3-1. The score remained unchanged throughout the second half despite numerous attempts from Giuffrida's side, who were unable to find a breakthrough and were forced to bid their gold medal hopes farewell. On Wednesday 11 November, at 12:00 CET, Italy will face fellow Group B side Iran in the bronze medal match after Iran lost to Venezuela in extra time earlier today.

THE MATCH. The game began as a tight, tactical affair, with clear-cut chances few and far between. The first real opportunity came in the seventh minute, when Gallus glanced a header narrowly over the bar. Ukraine, meanwhile, looked primarily to their number 10, Oksana Shevchuk, whose technical ability and skill in one-on-one situations kept the Azzurrine defence on constant alert. The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute when Yukhnovets led a counterattack and, with the Italian defence caught out, Vlasenko was left unmarked at the far post to beat Ginocchio and make it 1-0. Italy responded just two minutes later, with a long-range strike from Flavia Caiello catching Hulenko off guard to bring Italy level. The equaliser gave the Azzurrine a boost, and they immediately had two chances to take the lead. Hulenko denied Zappia's initial effort before Italy's number 9 struck the post with the rebound. Just as Giuffrida's side were enjoying their best spell, however, Ukraine regained the lead with two minutes remaining in the half. Yukhnovets finished off a neat one-two with Zaporozhets to put her side back in front. The goal was a psychological blow for Italy, and the Azzurrine lost their composure; just a minute later, Ukraine took advantage and struck again through Zaporozhets to make it 3-1 at the break.

SECOND HALF. Italy responded to their late first-half setback like a top team would. The Azzurrine dominated the opening 10 to 12 minutes of the second half, creating a string of chances and forcing Ukraine onto the defensive. Moro went close twice, while Gallus and Zappia also threatened. The woodwork then denied Giuffrida's side another opportunity to get back into the match, as a long ball from Lo Stocco, combined with a clever dummy from Zappia, struck the frame of the goal. With three minutes remaining, Italy went all out in search of a comeback, introducing a flying goalkeeper, but the gamble failed to produce the desired result.

UKRAINE 3-1 ITALY (HT: 3-1)

Ukraine: Hulenko, Shchavinska, Hordiienko, Yukhnovets, Shevchuk. Subs.: Serykh, Zavhorodnia, Zaporozhets, Vlasenko, Ruchka. Coach: Zolotukhin

Italy: Ginocchio, Moro, Caiello, Zappia, Gallus. Subs.: Negri, Lo Stocco, Taccetti, Melfi, Do Amaral. Coach: Giuffrida

Goals: 11’ Vlasenko (U), 13’ Caiello (I), 18’ Yukhnovets (U), 19’ Zaporozhets (U)

Match Officials: Sanchez (Argentina), Alblooshi (United Arab Emirates), Angelo (Brazil), Stenseth (Norway); Timekeeper: Chaito (Lebanon)

Bookings: Melfi (I), Zaporozhets (U)

Youth Olympic Games, Dakar 2026

Group A: Senegal, Fiji, Venezuela, Ukraine

Group B: Italy, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Iran

Group B Fixtures

Matchday 1 (Sunday 1 November)

Costa Rica 0-3 Iran

Italy 4-2 Cameroon

Matchday 2 (Tuesday 3 November)

Italy 4-1 Costa Rica

Iran 5-3 Cameroon

Matchday 3 (Thursday 5 November)

Iran 3-1 Italy

Cameroon 7-0 Costa Rica

Group B Standings

Iran 9 PTS, Italy 6 PTS, Cameroon 3 PTS, Costa Rica 0 PTS

Group A Standings

Ukraine 8 PTS, Venezuela 6 PTS, Senegal 3 PTS, Fiji 0 PTS

Knockout Stages

Semifinals (Sunday 8 November)

Iran 2-3 Venezuela (AET)
Ukraine 3-1 Italy

Finals (Wednesday 11 November)

Bronze medal match (12:00 CET): Iran vs. Italy

Gold medal match (16:30 CET): Venezuela vs. Ukraine