Italy up and running with Hungary defeat

Italy kicked off their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a comfortable victory against ten-man Hungary in Szekesfehervar.

After a goalless first half, Manolo Gabbiadini made the breakthrough within a minute of the restart. The Atalanta BC forward doubled Italy's lead 20 minutes later before Fabio Borini completed the scoring eight minutes from time. Hungary's Markó Futács was dismissed late on.

After a subdued opening it was Péter Gulácsi who was the busier of the two goalkeepers, with Gabbiadini and Borini forcing the Hungary No1 into a string of fine saves. Borini found a way past before the break but his curling effort came back off the frame of the goal.

Italy broke the deadlock immediately after the break when Alessandro Florenzi broke down the left and crossed for Gabbiadini to head past Gulácsi. The visitors began to dominate and Gabbiadini added a second on 66 minutes when Hungary failed to clear Fausto Rossi's free-kick. Substitute Mattia Destro then set up Borini to complete the scoring and there was still time for Hungary to be reduced to ten men when Futács was sent off in the final minute.

Italy travel to Liechtenstein on 6 October while Hungary face a trip to section leaders Turkey a day later.