Italy Under-21 beats Poland 6-2 in Pescara to qualify for Euro 2027
Silvio Baldini's squad defeated Poland 6-2 at Stadio Adriatico to finish top of Group E on goal difference and secure direct entry to the 2027 finals in Albania and Serbia.
Decisive victory in Pescara
Italy Under-21 secured direct qualification for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship on 5 October 2026 with a 6-2 victory over Poland at the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara. Heading into the final Group E fixture, Poland held first place with nine victories from nine matches, meaning Italy needed a win by at least two goals to claim the group title. Both teams concluded the qualifying phase tied on 27 points, but Italy secured first place on goal difference to bypass the playoff stage. The tournament finals will take place in Albania and Serbia in June 2027.
First-half pressure and a 60-meter strike
Italy created early scoring opportunities through headers from Cher Ndour and Pisilli, both saved by Poland goalkeeper Hubert Lubik. The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute when Mattia Liberali combined with Ahanor on the right flank, sending a deflected ball to Luca Koleosho, who controlled it on his thigh and fired under the crossbar. In the 26th minute, Koleosho set up Liberali from a short corner routine, and Liberali crossed for Ndour to head in the second goal. Liberali struck the post before half-time, and in the 55th minute, Ndour intercepted the ball in his own defensive half before lobbing Lubik from beyond 60 meters to make it 3-0. Luca Lipani added Italy's fourth goal four minutes later with a left-footed finish after Koleosho dispossessed Marcel Krajewski.
- Luca Koleosho opens scoring for Italy under the crossbar
- Cher Ndour heads in Italy second goal from a Mattia Liberali cross
- Cher Ndour scores from beyond 60 meters to extend Italy lead to 3-0
- Luca Lipani scores Italy fourth goal at the near post
- Mikolajewski scores Poland first goal
- Seydou Fini scores fifth goal for Italy
- Zewlakow converts a penalty for Poland
- Luigi Cherubini scores Italy sixth goal from the edge of the area
Polish responses and immediate Italian replies
Poland pulled a goal back in the 65th minute through Mikolajewski, but Italy restored their four-goal margin sixty seconds later when Seydou Fini feinted past a defender on the right wing and scored with a left-footed shot. In the 85th minute, Poland converted a penalty taken by Zewlakow to reduce the deficit to 5-2. Italy responded again within a minute as Luigi Cherubini dribbled past two defenders from the left side and curled a strike into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. The win followed a tight 1-0 away victory against Armenia days earlier, which Italy won with a 95th-minute goal.
Emotional scenes and federation reactions
The victory produced emotional reactions on the bench for Italy manager Silvio Baldini, who had lost his 38-year-old daughter Valentina in July and previously managed Pescara into Serie B. After the final whistle, Baldini praised his squad for their dedication across the international window.
These are special, extraordinary boys and they deserve this satisfaction.
Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malagò commended the squad and staff for their group campaign.
Qualification for the European Championship and first place in the group, achieved with such a clear result, are a source of great satisfaction for all of the FIGC and for Italian football.
Italian team general director Claudio Ranieri, who attended the match in Pescara, stated that the qualification run demonstrated that young talent requires time and trust to develop.
