Italian reign ends with win

By Pete Sanderson at Brügglifeld stadium

Reigning UEFA European Under-19 champions Italy saw their reign end but at least went out of the tournament on a high note, sweeping aside nine-man Belgium in Aarau courtesy of goals from Riccardo Montolivo, Tonino Sorrentino and a double strike for Andrea Alberti in the final round of games in Group A.

Two dismissals
Alberti's free-kick had given his country a 27th minute-lead before Prince Asubonteng received his marching orders in the 38th minute after receiving a second yellow card. With Jan Wuytens later dismissed in similar circumstances, Italy took full advantage in the second half thanks largely to Montolivo's virtuoso performance.

World consolation
However, the scoreless draw between Switzerland and Ukraine in Kriens in tonight's other game in Group A left Italy a point behind the top two, though they do gain a 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship place as Belgium finished last in the pool.

Breathtaking save
The game burst into life in the 19th minute with Italy finally discovering the form that had eluded them for the most part of this tournament. Some neat work down the left from Alberti allowed him to find Montolivo and the Atalanta BC forward headed what looked like a certain goal only for Olivier Werner to somehow deny him with a breathtaking save.

Alberti free-kick
It seemed only a matter of time before Italy broke the deadlock and when it finally arrived in the 27th minute it was certainly worth waiting for. Belgium unwisely conceded a free-kick on the edge of their own box and Alberti send in an unstoppable effort to put Paolo Berettini's team in front. There was worse to come for Belgium as they were reduced to ten men after Asubonteng received a second yellow card after refusing to retreat the required distance for a free-kick.

Blistering shot
Italy came out of the half-time interval looking to kill the game off, and within three minutes of the restart Montolivo finally got his name on the scoresheet. He picked up the ball on the left of the area before sending a blistering shot goalwards which Werner fumbled and watched agonisingly as the ball bobbled into the net.

Alberti's second
It was not long before Werner was picking the ball out of the net for a third time, only on this occasion there was nothing he could do. Montolivo danced around two Belgian defenders before squaring to Alberti who crashed in the shot from two metres to kill off the game as a contest.

Late fourth
Substitute Sorrentino added a fourth after defender Wuytens saw red, beating the offside trap before calmly slotting the ball passed the stranded Werner.