Forestieri fires Italy into final

A second-half goal from substitute Fernando Forestieri took Italy into the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final for the first time since 2003 despite a determined effort from Hungary in Plzen.

Narrow victory
The AC Siena midfielder came on for Giovanni Formiconi at half-time of an enthralling semi-final and struck the only goal of the game 20 minutes later, advancing down the left channel to steer a low finish into the far corner of the net. Hungary had more shots but paid the price for being unable to unpick a typically miserly Italy defence as the Azzurrini held out to book their place in Saturday's final against Germany, when they will be bidding to win this competition for the second time.

Lively start
Hungary made six changes from the side beaten by Germany on Sunday and looked the livelier team in the first 45 minutes, Vincenzo Fiorillo having to push behind an angled shot from one of the returnees, Vlagyimir Komán, within two minutes. The captain then just failed to pick out Krisztián Németh with a low cross following a swift Hungary counterattack although András Gosztonyi had more luck in the 12th minute, cutting back for Németh to turn smartly and bring Fiorillo into action again.

Disciplined defending
Despite having more promising attacks Hungary struggled to create clear chances against an Italy back line which had certainly tightened up having conceded three goals in their previous fixture against the Czech Republic. And the Azzurrini were soon showing their offensive threat as well, Michelangelo Albertazzi unleashing a first-time shot from 25 metres that Péter Gulácsi plucked out of the air following good work from Stefano Okaka Cuka and Alberto Paloschi. Németh then flashed an effort into the side-netting from the corner of the penalty area as half-time approached.

Hungary efforts
The pattern continued into the second half, with Hungary orchestrating the more attractive moves but being reduced to long-range attempts, with Gosztonyi firing just wide of the left-hand post after Komán and Németh had worked a clever short corner. Attila Busai then unleashed a thunderous strike from a Németh knockdown that Fiorillo beat away before the opening goal arrived in the 65th minute – but at the wrong end from the Hungarian point of view.

Forestieri winner
Silvano Raggio was the architect, slipping a pass through for Forestieri to race clear and prod past Gulácsi to give Italy the lead. Hungary tried to respond, Szabó firing just wide and Fiorillo denying Németh from distance, although Gulácsi had to turn Okaka Chuka's effort against his post. Deep in added time Gosztonyi struck the post as Italy held on to earn their opportunity to emulate the class of 2003.