Italy U-20s Stage Epic Comeback: From 0-3 Down to 3-3 Draw Against England

Getty Images Sport | Emanuele Tramacere Mar 28, 2026 05:05+06:00 | Translated by GOAL Italy Under-20s – What a comeback! From 0-3 to 3-3 against England It was supposed to be just a friendly, albeit an important one. It was supposed to be a high-level test match for both Carmine Nunziata’s Italy Under-20s and their English counterparts. Instead, at the Riano Athletic Centre on the outskirts of Rome, the match turned into a real spectacle. The Azzurrini completed a stunning comeback from 0-3 to 3-3, showcasing the talents of players like Rao (Bari, on loan from Napoli), Lavelli (Inter), and Vavassori (Atalanta), who are set to make a name for themselves in our domestic leagues. THE MATCH Italy started well with Rao looking dangerous, but England took the lead: Ndala played in Watson, who beat Martinelli from the edge of the box. The Azzurrini were reeling. In the 37th minute, Lavelli won a penalty, only to see it saved by Herrick. The mistake proved costly. Just before half-time, Watson headed home from a Pinto cross to make it 2-0. Italy began the second half with more energy. But between the 56th and 58th minutes, Proctor made a miraculous save from Rao, and then Heaven rose highest from a corner to head home for a 3-0 lead, seemingly sealing the match. Seemingly, of course, because Italy never gives up. They slowly fought their way back. In the 65th minute, Vavassori hit the post. In the 66th, Lavelli redeemed his penalty miss with a sharp dribble and a shot into the corner, breathing new life into the game. In the 72nd minute, another Inter-trained talent, Stabile, scored with a clever backheel in a scramble following a corner to make it 3-2. Then, in the 89th minute, after England hit the woodwork, another sublime backheel arrived, this time from Vavassori, sealing the Azzurrini’s sensational comeback. MATCH REPORT Italy U20 3–3 England U20
Goals: 15′, 45+1′ Watson (Eng), 58′ Heaven (Eng), 66′ Lavelli (Ita), 72′ Stabile (Ita), 89′ Vavassori (Ita)

Italy: Martinelli (46′ Siviero); Bakoune (67′ Aidoo), Corradi (59′ Postiglione), Stabile (81′ Mirra), Cama (81′ Romani); Di Maggio (59′ Di Nunzio), Rispoli, Nuamah (46′ Ciammaglichella); Vavassori, Rao (59′ Cassa); Lavelli. Manager: Carmine Nunziata.

England: Herrick; Pinto, Meghoma, Morgan K., Heaven, Abbott, Young, Olusesi, Morgan J.J., Watson, Ndala. Manager: Neil Ryan.
Referee: Bonacina (ITA) ENJOYED THIS STORY? Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting.