Italian
Italy’s Under-21 national football team defeats Armenia 5-1 and maintains the top spot in their Euro 2027 qualifying group.
CREMONA – A match more difficult than the scoreline might suggest. In front of the 2,500 spectators at Cremona’s ‘Giovanni Zini’ Stadium, the Azzurrini were held scoreless throughout the first half by an Armenia side that defended deep and offered no clear scoring opportunities.
It was the halftime substitutions that changed the game. With Ndour subbed off—he had the only two real chances in the first half, hitting the post and missing a penalty—it was Dagasso who finally broke through the Armenian wall. The Pescara midfielder scored the opening goal in the 58th minute, assisted by Pisilli. Just four minutes later, Dagasso won back the ball that Camarda turned into gold, and then delivered the assist for Camarda’s second goal in the 71st minute, making it 3-0.
The match didn’t stop there. In the 75th minute, Seydou Fini found the net, and just two minutes later Armenia got a consolation goal through Vardanyan. In the second of four minutes of stoppage time, Jeff Ekhator scored the fifth and final goal for Italy, sealing the 5-1 result.
Italy’s Under-21 team now holds first place in the group, tied on points with Poland, who beat Sweden 6-0 and have a better goal difference (+15 vs. Italy’s +10). The head-to-head clash on November 14 in Szczecin will be decisive for direct qualification to Euro 2027 in Albania and Serbia.
Comments
These were the post-match words of Head Coach Silvio Baldini:
“These are the kinds of games that feel like a Thursday training session—where the team lacks energy, feels tired. Then in the second half, with a few changes, the right spirit shows up and it ends like this. Thankfully, because easy games don’t exist anymore. You can make a bad impression—football is full of pitfalls. We wasted a half, but that’s normal. What matters is getting the win, and we did well to make it count in the second half.
The next match will be easier mentally—the players know it’s the decisive match, and they’ll come in ready. Was I smart with the subs? I’m not a fan of compliments—they’re like sleeping pills. You receive them and then get comfortable. I prefer staying sharp: in this sport, being good means getting the result.”
And this is what Matteo Dagasso, scorer of the first goal, had to say:
“I know Baldini well—he definitely won’t be happy with the first half, but we did well to stay in the match and come out with a win. What did he say at halftime? He always knows how to hit the right note. He calmly told us to stay focused, keep playing, and do what we know how to do. And in fact, the second half went well. We scored a lot of goals and need to keep working hard.”
Match Sheet
ITALY–ARMENIA 5–1 (HT 0–0)
ITALY (4-3-3): Palmisani; Palestra (76’ Fortini), Marianucci (45’ Guarino), Mane, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Lipani, Ndour (45’ Dagasso); Cherubini (72’ Fini), Camarda (72’ Ekhator), Koleosho.
Subs: Mascardi, Idrissi, Faticanti, Berti.
Coach: Baldini
ARMENIA (4-4-2): Matinyan; Tarloyan, Manukyan, A. Hakobyan, Bandikian; K. Hovhannisyan (68’ Askaryan), N. Hovhannisyan (68’ Afyan), Sargsyan (75’ Ayvazyan), D. Hakobyan (68’ Vardanyan); M. Hakobyan, Eloyan (56’ Garibyan).
Subs: Ghazaryan, Avetisyan, Sukiasyan, Tsarukya.
Coach: Guylbudaghyants
Referee: Gal Levi (Israel)
Assistants: Yossi Babayoff (Israel), Lioz Edi (Israel)
Fourth Official: Nael Odeh (Israel)
Goals: 58’ Dagasso (I), 62’ & 71’ Camarda (I), 75’ Fini (I), 77’ Vardanyan (A), 90+2’ Ekhator (I)
Notes: 25’ – Ndour (I) misses a penalty;
Yellow cards: Sargsyan (A), M. Hakobyan (A), Marianucci (I);
Red card: Fortini (I), second yellow (83’ and 85’)
UEFA Under-21 EURO – Group Standings Update
Photo Credits: Figc.it
