Young Socceroos fall 1-0 to Italy in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener

The CommBank Young Socceroos have kicked off their FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025™ journey, falling 1-0 to Italy U20 at the Estadio Elias Figueroa Brander on Monday morning (AEST).

The Aussies were left to lament their profligacy in front of goal in the first half as Mattia Mannini's 10th-minute penalty proved the difference, in a match with plenty of positives.

Head Coach Trevor Morgan selected a familiar side, with nine of the starting eleven the same as the team who won the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ earlier this year.

Sebastian Esposito wore the captain’s armband in the heart of defence while Luka Jovanovic and Musa Toure were up top in a two-striker formation.

Jovanovic had a huge chance early in transition, but saw his effort saved by Italian goalkeeper Alessandro Nunziante.

It proved to be a huge save, as only moments later, Italy mounted an attack of their own. Mattia Mosconi drew a foul out of Steven Hall as he bore down on goal. He was unable to save the subsequent spot kick from Italian captain Mattia Mannini, which was struck well into the bottom corner, and Italy took the lead.

They could have doubled their lead in the 24th minute if not for a fantastic reflex save from Hall at his near post following a corner.

Australia kept pushing for the equaliser, and had the better of the remaining chances of the half. Daniel Bennie played a superb flick through to Jovanovic minutes after Italy were denied, but Jovanovic could not convert the opportunity, missing wide of the post.

Joshua Inserra played Bennie through on goal in the 35th minute, but his shot also just trickled wide of the post.

It meant that Australia went into the break of a very even 45 minutes a goal down, and with plenty of work to do in the second-half.

As the Young Socceroos pushed for the equaliser, space opened up in behind for Italy. An opportunity for substitute Mattia Liberali was scuppered by the offside flag before Hall was called into action to save a header from Jamal Iddrissou.

Australia had a chance after a well-worked short corner in the 61st minute, but it was not able to be bundled over the line.

Trevor Morgan turned to his bench for the first time in the 65th minute. Jaylan Pearman and Max Caputo were introduced for the two strikers, Luka Jovanic and Musa Toure.

Apart from that chance, however, it was incredibly difficult for the Young Socceroos to find a way through the blue wall. Italy’s famous discipline in defence was making itself known as each set piece and attacking opportunity was turned away.

Morgan continued to ring in the changes. Tiago Quintal replaced Daniel Bennie in the 75th minute, before Louis Agosti and Jonny Yull came on for Rhys Youlley and Alexander Badolato minutes later.

However, Australia U20 was unable to muster any further chances to trouble the Italians, who will now turn their attention to Argentina U20 on Thursday morning (AEST).

Match Summary

Italy: 1 (8. Mattia Mannini (p) 10’)

Australia: 0

Australia: 1. Steven Hall (GK), 2. Daniel Bennie (14. Tiago Quintal 75'), 3. Sebastian Esposito, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 16. Joshua Inserra, 10. Rhys Youlley (20. Louis Agosti 78'), 5. Fabian Talladira, 6. Paul Okon-Engstler, 8. Alexander Badolato (7. Jonny Yull 78'), 11. Musa Toure (19. Max Caputo 65'), 9. Luka Jovanovic (15. Jaylan Pearman 65')

Unused substitutes: 12. Alex Robinson (GK), 18. Daniel Graskoski (GK), 13. Lucas Herrington, 17. Liam Bonetig, 21. James Overy

Yellow Cards: 1. Steven Hall 9’, 3. Sebastian Esposito 74’
Red Cards: Nil

Italy: 1. Alessandro Nunziante (GK), 3. Cristian Cama, 4. Christian Corradi, 5. Andrea Natali (15. Francesco Verde 78'), 6. Wisdom Amey (7. Jacopo Sardo 31'), 8. Mattia Mannini, 11. Mattia Mosconi (20. Mattia Liberali 54'), 13. Emanuel Benjamin, 17. Jamal Iddrissou, 19. Alvin Okoro (9. Ismael Konate 54'), 21. Lorenzo Riccio (14. Emanuele Sala 78')

Unused substitutes: 12. Jacopo Seghetti (GK), 18. Lapo Siviero (GK), 2. Javison Idele, 10. Marco Romano, 16. Alessandro Berretta

Yellow Cards: 7. Jacopo Sardo 45', 3. Cristian Cama 76', 20. Mattia Liberali 90'
Red Cards: Nil