Italy Beats Spain on Penalties to Reach Under-17 Euro Final
Italy’s Under 17 national team has secured a place in the European Championship final following a tense semifinal clash against Spain at the Stadio Lilleküla in Tallinn, Estonia. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw after regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout that Italy won 5-3.
The victory was anchored by a standout performance from goalkeeper Lupo, who proved decisive during both the match and the subsequent shootout. His ability to maintain composure under pressure allowed the “Azzurrini” to advance to the final stage of the competition.
A Battle of Penalties
The match was heavily influenced by penalty kicks from the start. In the 29th minute, Italy’s Lupo produced a critical save to deny Spain’s Imga, keeping the game scoreless.
Italy eventually broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Following a handball by Diaz in the Spanish area, Croci stepped up to convert the penalty, sending the ball past goalkeeper Ponce to give Italy a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Spain’s Second-Half Surge
Spain intensified their attack in the second half, nearly equalizing in the 72nd minute when Mayans struck the crossbar with a header. Italy’s defence, led by efforts from Bonifazi and Varali, resisted several dangerous attempts.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute. After a series of rebounds and saves in the Italian penalty area, Urrestarazu scored for Spain to level the match at 1-1.
Despite late pressure and substitutions—including the entry of Enzo Alves for Spain and Ballarin for Italy—neither side could find a winning goal in the final minutes of regulation or during the five minutes of added time.
The Decisive Shootout
The match moved to a penalty shootout, which began with Spain taking the first kick. While Mayans scored for the Iberians, Lupo quickly regained control by saving attempts from Mencia and Enzo Alves.
Italy remained clinical from the spot. Goals from Corigliano, Casagrande, and Dattilo put the Azzurrini in a commanding position, despite a late conversion by Spain’s Pesquer.
Rocca converted the final penalty to seal the 5-3 victory, officially sending Italy through to the championship match.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Italy is now set to face Belgium in the European Under 17 final. This decisive match is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, at 19:00.
Given the momentum from the semifinal, Italy may enter the final with increased confidence in their defensive organization and penalty-saving capabilities. The outcome will likely depend on whether they can replicate the clinical efficiency shown in Tallinn.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Under 17 European final?
The final between Belgium and Italy is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, at 19:00.
Who scored the goals during regulation time?
Croci scored for Italy via a penalty in the 42nd minute, and Urrestarazu scored the equalizer for Spain in the 78th minute.
What was the final score of the penalty shootout?
Italy won the penalty shootout 5-3 after the match ended 1-1 in regulation.
Do you think Italy’s defensive resilience in the semifinal will be the key to winning the final against Belgium?