It was a game of two halves for Italy at the “Municipal” Stadium in Guardia on matchday four of the “8 Nations” Tournament. After a spectacular first half which ended 3-0 to Italy, the Azzurrini dropped off in the second and only just managed to fight off a Portugal comeback thanks to 20-year-old Gabriele Gori’s 74th-minute winner.

Daniele Franceschini’s side got off to a dream start, taking the lead after just 12 minutes through Lazio forward André Anderson’s effort from distance. Italy’s second then came just ten minutes later with Manolo Portanova’s shot from the edge of the area, and the same man popped up again in the 41st with a delightful assist for Marco Olivieri, who beat the goalkeeper and sent the Azzurrini back into the dressing room 3-0 up at half-time.

The hosts made five changes in the second half, switching their wide players and shocking Italy with a higher tempo and much better play. Portugal’s first goal arrived from Rodrigues in just the 46th minute, with Vieira (from a penalty) and Joao Mario adding goals to complete the comeback. However, the Azzurrini didn’t lose focus and picked up their own play, finding the goal to seal the win in the 74th minute with Arezzo forward Gabriele Gori’s powerful header.

This afternoon’s match was the Under-20’s fourth game in the “8 Nations” Tournament after their two wins over Poland and the Czech Republic and the draw against England last week. Italy’s next fixture sees them play Switzerland in Biella on 18 November.

Italy's fixture list for the “8 Nations” Tournament

5 September: Italy 2-0 Poland
9 September: Czech Republic 0-2 Italy
10 October: Italy 2-2 England
15 October: Portugal 3-4 Italy
18 November: Italy vs. Switzerland
27 March: Germany vs. Italy
31 March: Italy vs. Holland