FIFA U-20 World Cup
Clinical Italy secure their place in knockout stage
26 May 2019
Italy overcame ten-man Ecuador 1-0 to ensure their qualification to the next round at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019. It was an absorbing and incident-heavy contest in front a full Bydgoszcz crowd.
Azzurri captain Andrea Pinamonti scored the lone goal in the 15th minute with a piece of technical skill, guiding in a half-volley with his right foot after Gianluca Scamacca teed him up perfectly with a cushioned header. Luca Pellegrini provided the initial service with a high, lofted cross.
The match took a turn when towering Ecuador centre-back Jackson Porozo was shown a straight red card following a high and late challenge on Alessandro Tripaldelli.
Ecuador had a golden opportunity to level matters after Jose Cifuentes had his shirt pulled by Enrico Del Prato. The referee awarded the penalty following a VAR review, but Leonardo Campana had his attempt saved by Alessandro Plizzari seconds before half-time.
Jorge Celico’s side ultimately could not find their way past a superb performance from the Italian defence, namely Plizzari.
Next up (Wednesday)
Ecuador-Mexico (18:00 local time)
Italy-Japan (18:00 local time)
Poland 2019: Ecuador 0-1 Italy
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![Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal]()
Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![taly players walk onto the pitch]()
taly players walk onto the pitch
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Italy players walk onto the pitch prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Head coach Paolo Nicolato of Italy looks on]()
Head coach Paolo Nicolato of Italy looks on
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Head coach Paolo Nicolato of Italy looks on prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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![General view of Ecuador dressing room]()
General view of Ecuador dressing room
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: General view of Ecuador dressing room prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Italy players pose for a team picture]()
Italy players pose for a team picture
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Italy players pose for a team picture during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Ecuador players pose for a team picture]()
Ecuador players pose for a team picture
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Ecuador players pose for a team picture during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andrea Pinamonti of Italy scores his team's first goal]()
Andrea Pinamonti of Italy scores his team's first goal
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Andrea Pinamonti of Italy scores his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal]()
Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's first goal]()
Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's first goal
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Andrea Pinamonti of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![ackson Porozo of Ecuador competes for the ball with Gianluca Scamacca of Italy]()
ackson Porozo of Ecuador competes for the ball with Gianluca Scamacca of Italy
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Jackson Porozo of Ecuador competes for the ball with Gianluca Scamacca of Italy during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Raoul Bellanova of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador]()
Raoul Bellanova of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Raoul Bellanova of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andrea Pinamonti of Italy competes for the ball with Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador]()
Andrea Pinamonti of Italy competes for the ball with Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Andrea Pinamonti of Italy competes for the ball with Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Jackson Porozo of Ecuador is sent off]()
Jackson Porozo of Ecuador is sent off
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Jackson Porozo of Ecuador is sent off during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Gustavo Vallecilla of Ecuador]()
Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Gustavo Vallecilla of Ecuador
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Gustavo Vallecilla of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador]()
Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador
26 May 2019
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND - MAY 26: Gianluca Scamacca of Italy competes for the ball with Palacios of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group B match between Ecuador v Italy at Bydgoszcz Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Photo by Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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