Italy U21 Secures European Berth with Dominant 6-2 Victory Over Poland

Italy advanced to the European Under-21 Championship after a decisive 6-2 defeat of Poland. Cher Ndour scored a remarkable goal from midfield.

Topping the group, Italy needed a win with a two-goal margin in Pescara to overcome their earlier 2-1 loss to Poland and secure direct qualification. Poland had a perfect record, conceding only two goals in their nine previous matches.

Honest Ahanor returned to the squad, joined by Davide Bartesaghi, Alphadjo Cisse, and Mattia Liberali. Striker Antonio Raimondo was unavailable due to injury.

Early chances fell to Italy, with Cher Ndour and Niccolò Pisilli testing the Polish defense within the first 90 seconds.

Luca Koleosho opened the scoring, finding the net from close range after Liberali's shot was blocked. This goal provided a crucial confidence boost for the Burnley player.

Poland's Wojciech Urbanski forced a save from Lorenzo Palmisani. Italy extended their lead through a set-piece. Koleosho delivered a pass from a short corner, allowing Liberali to cross for Ndour to head home. This goal put Italy at the top of the group.

Liberali's shot hit the post before halftime, and Filip Kocaba blocked a strong volley from Bartesaghi after the break.

As Poland pressed, Italy scored a third goal through an exceptional strike. Ndour recovered the ball near his own half and executed an audacious lob over the goalkeeper Marcel Lubik.

The lead grew when Koleosho dispossessed Kocaba and set up substitute Luca Lipani, who scored at the near post shortly after coming on.

Poland pulled one back when Daniel Mikolajewski finished from close range after a run by Drachal.

Seydou Fini quickly re-established Italy's four-goal advantage, finishing from the edge of the box after a pass from Lipani.

The Italian players celebrated with coach Silvio Baldini, who had recently lost his daughter. Baldini appeared emotional during the game.

Poland, seeking to avoid playoffs, reduced the deficit with a spectacular long-range shot from Jakub Zewlakow into the top corner.

Luigi Cherubini responded for Italy, scoring his first Under-21 goal after a solo run to make the final score 6-2.

Italy 6-2 Poland

Goalscorers: Koleosho 16 (I), Ndour 27, 54 (I), Lipani 59 (I), Mikolajweski 65 (P), Fini 66 (I), Zewlakow 85 (P), Cherubini 86 (I)

Italy U21 Starting XI: Palmisani; Ahanor, Comuzzo, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Faticanti (Lipani 56), Ndour; Liberali (Fini 56), Koleosho (Cherubini 79), Cisse (Camarda 62)

Poland U21 Starting XI: Lubik; Krajewski, Monka, Ede, Gurgul; Kowalczyk (Duda 72), Kocaba (Oyedele 65); Urbanski (Zewlakow 56), Mazurek, Pienko (Drachal 56); Bak (Mikolajewski 46)

Referee: Badstubner (GER)