Italy beat Belgium 5–4 on penalties to win U17 Euro Final | OneFootball

Italy U17 have won the second European Championship in the last three years, beating Belgium on penalties in the final.

Italy have won the U17 European Championship for the second time ever, beating Belgium on penalties on Sunday.

Belgium had the first chance in the game when Christian Lupo denied Jayden Onia Seke, and Ilyas Benktib failed to score on the rebound.

Lorenzo Dattilo had the first chance for Italy one minute later, but his right-footed shot was parried away by Mattis Seghers with a diving save.

The Belgium keeper produced another key save towards the end of the first half to deny Federico Croci.

The Red Devils pushed strongly after the break, forcing Lupo to make decisive saves to frustrate Onia Seke and Dierckx.

Jacopo Landi was introduced for the final 25 minutes and seemed particularly inspired down the left flank, but sent two shots over the crossbar, first at minute 77 and then at minute 82.

Noa Ojea Cobiella broke the deadlock with just five minutes remaining as he dribbled past an Italian defender down the right flank and found the net with a side-foot finish at the far post.

It seemed the end of the Azzurri’s dream, but Dierckx deflected a shot with his arm inside the box, setting up a penalty for the Azzurri, which Marcello Fugazzola didn’t miss despite Seghers diving the right way.

Fugazzola also scored Italy’s first goal in the shootout, while Lupo saved Ojea Cobiella’s attempt.

Lupo had already saved three penalties in the semifinal against Spain, one in-game and two in the shootout.

Edoardo Dario Rocca also failed to capitalise on his opportunity, dragging his effort wide of the target.

Belgium squandered another chance when Tinus Moorthamer struck the crossbar with the Red Devils’ fifth penalty.

Diego Perillo, who had opened Italy’s scoring in this U17 European Championship against France, made no mistake from the spot with the decisive kick, securing the Azzurri’s second U17 European title. Italy had lifted the trophy for the first time in 2024.

Euro U17 Final: Belgium 4-5 Italy after penalty shootout

Goals: 85′ Ojea (B), 90′ Fugazzola (I)

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Seghers; Moorthamer, Mbavu, Bloondeel, El Morabet; Van Gelder, Dierckx; Onia Seke (83′ Achabar), Driessen (72′ Ojea), Nga Kana; Benktib.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Lupo; Bonifazi, Diallo, Varali, Dattilo (87′ Dattilo); Gasparello (58′ Ballarin), Okon, Biondini (87′ Fugazzola); Corigliano (67′ Landi); Perillo, Croci (58′ Casagrande).