Welcome to the direct written between Portugal and Italy, valid for the quarter-finals of the U21 European Championships.19:58
Challenge from inside or outside for the Azzurrini, still unbeaten in the tournament thanks to two draws and a victory in their group, who are chasing access to the semifinals. Portugal, on the other hand, comes from three consecutive victories, with six goals scored and not one conceded.20:07
FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI: Il Portogallo rises in the field with a 4-3-1-2: Diogo Costa – Diogo Dalot, Diogo Queiros, Diogo Leite, Tomas Tavares – Gedson Fernandes, Daniel Bragança, Vitinha – Fabio Vieira – Gonçalo Ramos, Dany Mota. Available: Abdu Conté, Florentino Luís, Rafael Leão, Luís Maximiano, Pedro Pereira, Tiago Djaló, Romário Baró, Filipe Soares, Tiago Tomas, Jota, Francisco Conceição, João Virgínia.21:00
Italy responds with a 3-5-2: Carnesecchi – Lovato, Delprato, Ranieri – Bellanova, Frattesi, Rovella, Pobega, Sala – Raspadori, Scamacca. Available: Plizzari, Beruatto, Ricci, Vogliacco, Maleh, Pinamonti, Cutrone, Pirola, Zappa, Maggiore, Cerofolini, Sottil.20:17
Rafael Leão is back available after his absence in the three group matches. The AC Milan striker, whose last appearance in the U21 national team dates back to November 2020 in the match played against the Netherlands valid for the qualifying phase, will start from the bench. Great absent for Covid the talent of Barcelona Trincão.21:02
Italy fielded the Raspadori-Scamacca couple in attack. After having played all the matches in the group, Patrick Cutrone will start from the bench, ready to give his contribution to the game in progress. Absent Tonali, Marchizza and Frabotta due to disqualification and Gabbia due to injury.21:01
A defeat each for Portugal and Italy considering both the qualifying phase and the groups: it promises to be a closely fought match from the early stages of the game.20:38
The match is played at the Stožice stadium in Ljubljana, partially reopened to fans: about a thousand people in the stands.20:46
The winner of the match will face Spain in the semifinals, who won the match against Croatia thanks to a goal by Javi Puado in extra time that set the final score 2-1 in favor of Roja.20:50
The teams are completing the warm-up phases. A few minutes before the kick-off of the race director François Letexier.20:54
The match begins! First ball played by Italy.21:03
After a tough fight between Bellanova and Tomas Tavares, the two still seem able to resume the game without consequences.21:06
Great shot from outside by Vitinha. Careful Carnesecchi who deflects for a corner.21:14
GOAL! PORTUGAL-Italy1-0! Spectacular goal by Dany Mota: corner kick for Portugal, the ball rears up and the Monza striker finds a great overhead kick that hits the far post behind the innocent Carnesecchi!
Look at the Dany Mota player card21:12
Italy tries to react immediately, but Pobega’s punch from the edge is long for all his teammates.21:13
Very fun game from the early stages of the game: Portugal controls the immediate advantage gained and tries to hurt in speed, Italy has not let itself be intimidated by the Portuguese network and continues to play openly.21:16
Portugal still dangerous: Diogo Dalot’s cue on the right, Carnesecchi again deflects for a corner. 21:20
On the diagram from the flag, Fabio Vieira makes a low pass to the center of the area. Gedson Fernandes shoots and the defense concedes another corner.21:21
The formation coached by Rui Jorge dribbles very well and seems to have total control of the game at this stage. The Azzurrini are struggling to find space to be incisive.21:23
Opportunity for Italy! Great shot from outside by Pobega that unbalances Bragança with a feint and unloads a nice low left foot that ends just wide.21:27
Italy is pushing hard now, which seems to have taken courage. Bellanova closes the triangle with Rovella and makes a nice cross from the right that is deflected for a corner by the Portuguese defense.21:29
Diogo Dalot among the most proactive in Portugal: another cross from the right of the full-back born in 1999 leads to another corner kick.21:37
GOAL! PORTUGAL-Italy2-0! Dany Mota scores again: Fabio Vieira beats long at the far post, Bragança heads for the striker number 11 who turns from the edge of the small area and surprises Italy again on the developments of the corner.
Look at the Dany Mota player card21:35
Italy seems to have suffered the blow and are struggling to effectively serve its offensive terminals, Scamacca and Raspadori.21:41
Nice insertion by Frattesi who is unable to divert a dig from the edge of Scamacca into the net. Encouraging signs for Italy, which returns to be seen in the parts of Diogo Costa.21:41
Another opportunity for the Azzurrini who are regaining confidence: Raspadori’s right to cross and the Portuguese defense rejects.21:43
Another dangerous entry by Frattesi, who serves Bellanova in tow. The blue winger hits badly and the ball ends up high.21:44
Shooting from the edge of the Scamacca area after a good idea from Pobega: the blue striker hits badly and his conclusion ends once again at the bottom. But now Italy has regained confidence.21:47
GOAL! Portugal 2-1 ITALY! On a corner kick for Italy, Frattesi extends his header at the far post where Pobega is the fastest of all and throws the ball into the net from two steps!
Look at the player’s card Tommaso Pobega21:50
The first half ends: Portugal and Italy go to rest on the score of 2-1.21:51
Three goals in the first 45 minutes, all coming from corner kick situations. Italy is immediately surprised in the opening minutes by a great overhead kick from Dany Mota. The Portuguese doubling comes in the 31st minute again with the Monza forward. But the Azzurrini do not disunite and in the long run they grow, finding the goal that shortens the distance with Tommaso Pobega on the last chance of the first half.21:55
Portugal fails to go on the break ahead of two goals despite a great start. Pobega’s goal rekindles the hopes of Paolo Nicolato’s boys, who will try to find a draw and play their chances of qualifying for the semifinals until the end, where Spain is waiting to discover the winner of this challenge.21:59
Let’s start once again! Portugal plays the first ball of this second half.22:04
No substitution in the interval: the teams return to the field with the same protagonists of the first part of the game.22:05
Italy seems to have started this second half in a more proactive way. Portugal try to show their technical skills in possession of the ball.22:09
Very occasional for Frattesi! The blue midfielder hits the ball very well on a cross from Sala coming from the left: only a great intervention by Diogo Costa denies him the joy of the goal.22:15
First yellow card of the match at the address of Tommaso Pobega, who intervenes in a slip and does not find the ball. The blue midfielder was warned and will miss the eventual semifinal with Spain.22:16
GOAL! PORTUGAL-Italy 3-1! Cross from the trocar to the side by Diogo Queiros, who dominates Lovato and manages to serve Gonçalo Ramos who deposits the ball on the net!22:30
GOAL! Portugal 3-2 ITALY! Immediate reaction of Italy with a great action in the strait between Raspadori, Frattesi and Scamacca, with the blue tip that immediately shortens the distance!
Look at the player’s card Gianluca Scamacca22:21
Second yellow card among the blue ranks: an evident detention by Marco Sala was punished.22:21
Italy attacks in search of the equalizer at this stage, while Portugal tries to control the game without giving reference points, taking advantage of the quality of its midfielders.22:31
Triple great chance for Portugal: two rejected by Carnesecchi and a great intervention by Ranieri on the goal line deny another goal to the Portuguese!22:31
First substitution of the match by Rui Jorge: Gonçalo Ramos leaves the field in favor of Florentino Luís.22:38
Great shot from outside by Vitinha: the ball ends over the crossbar of the goal defended by Carnesecchi but when it arrives near the blue area Portugal is increasingly dangerous.22:32
The Azzurrini are still dangerous with Scamacca, but the game is stopped due to an offside signal to the detriment of the blue attacker.22:33
First change also for Paolo Nicolato: Gabriel Zappa takes the place of Raoul Bellanova.22:35
Among the ranks of Italy also leaves the field a limp Tommaso Pobega. Enter Giulio Maggiore: the two were team mates also in the last season at La Spezia.22:37
Second change in the ranks of Portugal: Gedson Fernandes leaves to make room for Jota.22:38
Great cross from Vitinha for the cut on the near post of the usual Dany Mota. He heads off Ranieri with a great defensive closure.22:39
Third change for Italy: Riccardo Sottil takes the place of Marco Sala.22:39
The blue captain Patrick Cutrone also enters, Nicolò Rovella gives him his place on the pitch. Paolo Nicolato plays all his offensive cards to try to win back the match.22:41
Jota also tries for Portugal: nice shot from outside the new entry, but Carnesecchi is not surprised.22:43
Yellow card also for Matteo Lovato who stops the Portuguese counterattack with a foul on Dany Mota.22:43
New substitution for Portugal: Fábio Vieira leaves the field to Francisco Conceição.22:49
Another change for Rui Jorge: outside Daniel Bragança, inside Romário Baró22:50
GOAL! Portugal 3-3 ITALY! A very heavy goal for Patrick Cutrone, who anticipates everyone at the near post after Sottil’s excellent starting point on the left. Goal built entirely by the Azzurri substitutes!
Look at the player’s profile Patrick Cutrone22:49
Substitution Gianluca Scamacca Samuele Ricci21:58
There are 3 minutes of recovery. If it were to end like this it would go to extra time.22:51
Portugal is loud in the first 30 minutes but Pobega’s goal at the end of the first half allows Italy to get back into the game. In the second half, first Gonçalo Ramos deceives Portugal, but then Italy takes it back immediately with Scamacca and at the last breath with the newly entered Patrick Cutrone. We go to extra time!22:58
Last chance for Portugal: Vitinha’s free kick. Lovato closes at the far post.22:52
Regular time is not enough to establish the winner of the quarter-finals of the U21 European Championship between Portugal and Italy. It will go on with the extra time.23:03
Let’s start once again! First extra-time ball played by Italy.23:02
Second yellow card and expulsion for Matteo Lovato. The overtime of the Azzurrini immediately uphill.23:00
Rafael Leão enters and Dany Mota comes out, great star of the evening with a brace.23:02
