Italy snatch second Under-19 EURO title

"Incredible results can be achieved [...] when you wear the blue jersey with pride," declared Italy coach Alberto Bollini, as his side edged Portugal in a cagey final contest to claim the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship trophy.

His team's victory at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali earned Italy their second title in the competition, and their first since 2003.

Hugo Félix secured Portugal's 2-0 victory over Poland in the Group A opener at Tony Bezzina Stadium, before Italy saw off hosts Malta 4-0 at the National Stadium – where three of the Azzurrini goals came from the penalty spot, with each converted by a different taker.

An exciting nine-goal thriller got Group B under way as Greece almost recovered from a five-goal half-time deficit against Norway in a game that ended 5-4. A controlled display got Spain's campaign off the mark as they beat Iceland despite a late consolation.

On Matchday 2, Portugal and Italy went toe-to-toe in their first meeting of the tournament. When Luca Lipani saw red just before half-time, Portugal were able to record a clinical 5-1 victory and claim the Group A summit with a match to spare.

In the second match of the day at Centenary Stadium, Poland were reduced to ten men early on against Malta. However, Tozé Mendes' men failed to capitalise and they were soon trailing by two goals and reduced to ten men themselves, leaving them out of contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Spain demolished Greece 5-0 to guarantee their last-four berth, before Eggert Aron Guðmundsson's stunning late strike earned Iceland a point against Norway to keep them in contention in Group B.

Despite conceding, as Malta scored their first goal of the tournament, Portugal's second string XI did enough to make it three wins from three in Group A. Meanwhile, Italy and Poland went head-to-head for the runners-up spot, with Bollini's charges successfully holding Marcin Brosz's side to claim the point they needed to advance.

Two goalless encounters concluded Group B, as Spain won the section with Norway coming second.

Joaquim Milheiro's Portugal machine was well and truly in motion by the semi-fimal stage as they hit five goals once more, this time at the expense of Norway, who were eliminated after reaching the last four for the first time.

Italy stunned Spain in a dramatic second semi-final at the National Stadium. Despite a cautious first half, Bollini's well-drilled, counterattacking side caught Spain off guard, with Lipani's 85th-minute header ensuring their passage to the final.

In a repeat of the 2003 and 2018 finals – won respectively by Italy and Portugal – Milheiro opted to field the same Portugal XI as the sides' group stage meeting, while Italy's starting line-up included four changes.

Bollini said the Azzurrini had learnt a "big, big lesson" from their heavy defeat in the groups, and so it proved. Michael Kayode headed home the decisive goal as a resolute Italy executed their game plan to perfection to outwit Portugal and claim the trophy.