U21 Italy: Koleosho centre stage for 4-0 victory in Sweden | OneFootball

Italy swept Sweden aside 4-0 away from home to consolidate second place in the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, as Luca Koleosho scored twice and assisted another.

EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Silvio Baldini manager of Italy U21 looks on during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The Azzurrini were coming off a 4-0 victory against North Macedonia, but remained second in the group due to a 2-1 defeat to leaders Poland. The only changes from Thursday’s game were Seydou Fini and Michael Kayode stepping in.

Sweden had the first big chance with Nils Zatterstrom’s header fortunately straight at Lorenzo Palmisani on a corner, but the visitors received a penalty when Luca Lipani was brought down by Zatterstrom. It was converted successfully by Luca Koleosho into the near bottom corner.

The floodgates opened, as Koleosho added a second from open play moments later when pouncing on a loose ball in the final third, forcing the Hampus Skoglund error with his high press.

Cher Ndour nearly made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark, prodding wide from six yards on a ball over the top.

EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 26: Cher Ndour of Italy U21 celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The third goal did arrive after the restart, with Koleosho this time threading through to send Ndour clear to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one.

Pietro Comuzzo’s header from a corner whistled just wide, then Lipani got on the end of Davide Bartesaghi’s free kick at the near post.

Luigi Cherubini scuffed his finish wide on the Ndour pull-back, but this has still boosted their goal difference.

Sweden 0-4 Italy

Koleosho pen 19, 22 (I), Ndour 50 (I), Lipani 63 (I)

Sweden U21: Bishesari; Skoglund, Amoran, Zatterstrom, Tolf (Sjostrand 59); Antwi, Karlsson (Kanga 84), Bjorklund, Sonko (Njie 67); Omorowa (Kusi-Asare 67), Rafferty (Thorell 67)

Italy U21: Palmisani; Kayode, Comuzzo (Calvani 82), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi (Ahanor 68); Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso (Venturino 57); Fini (Cherubini 57), Ekhator (Faticanti 82), Koleosho