UEFA Under-19 Championship 2026/2027 Qualifying: Round 1
Italy 3-0 Scotland
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
The Albert Bartlett Stadium, Airdrie 

 

Scorers

Italy 3 (Iddrisa 45'+3, Campaniello 52', Arena 72')

Scotland 0

As It Happened

Scotland opened their European Under-19 Championship campaign in Airdrie with a 3-0 loss against a strong Italian side. 

 

With both sides attacking from the whistle, the opening five minutes saw end-to-end action with both sides finding their way into the box.

 

Scotland maintained a solid defence throughout a first half in which Italy showed their attacking threat.

 

Shots from Leonardo Bovio and Antonio Arena were blocked comfortably by Lewis Gillie and skipper, Alfie Osborne, respectively.

 

 

Ultimately, the final moments of the first half saw an Italian goal - a close-range shot from Dauda Iddrisa putting the visitors a goal up deep into first half stoppage time.

 

Italy started the second half confidently maintaining the majority of possession. However, Scotland’s Fletcher Boyd picked his way through the field and did well in the box before his efforts were stopped by the Italian defence. 

 

Scotland had lively moments at the start of the second half, with Archie Traynor and Alexander Smith impressing, although the 52nd minute saw a second goal for Italy. A pinpoint cross from the wing found the head of Thomas Campaniello who sent the ball into the back of the net. 

 

The Italians continued to put the Scottish defence under pressure and Rydnn McGuire did well to prevent a third goal from a close-range strike from Vincenzo Damiano, although the ball dropped to striker, Antonio Arena who capitalised scoring the third goal in the 72nd minute.

 

 

Scotland enjoyed lots of the ball and threatened at times, but the slick Italy side were clinical with their chances. 

 

Neil MacFarlane’s side now turn their attention to Saturday where Scotland will look to bounce back in Kirkintilloch against the Republic of Ireland. 

 

Match Report by Emma Russell

 

Scotland Team

 

Scotland: McGuire, Vallance, Osborne, Gillie, McAllister (Glasgow 75), Masson, Traynor, Gilligan, Boyd (McGrath 66), Smith (Teasdale 83), North

 

Unused substitutes: Shaw, Borland, McCallion, Carrol, Davidson