UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship Qualifiers
Scotland 0-4 Italy
Sunday 20th October 2019
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh

Italy: Chiara Beccari (27), Nicole Arcangeli (33), Chiara Beccari (42), Alicia Illaria Berti (57)

Scotland fell to a 4-0 defeat against Italy in Group 10's deciding fixture this afternoon.

The youngsters may have secured their place in the Elite Round already, but fell short in their bid to win the group. 

Scotland started the brighter of the two teams with two fantastic chances.

The first came after a searching ball from Monica Forsyth found Bayley Hutchison at the back post by herself, unfortunately for Scotland her volley flew over the bar.

Scotland’s best chance came seven minutes later when Rosie McQuillan was denied from point blank range from the Italian keeper, Astrid Gilardi.

As the half progressed Italy began to come into the game and challenge the Scotland back line. Neat play in the final third was prominent from the likes of Alices Corelli and Alice Illaria Berti. Scotland’s first warning came from an Italy corner which saw Alicia Yates produce a fantastic save onto the bar.

Italy eventually opened the scoring through Chiara Beccari when she fired it into the back of the net after being slipped through one on one by Nicole Arcangeli.

The Italians continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded for their efforts with an Arcangeli goal. Corelli found the winger at the back post with her free kick and she calmly volleyed in off the post.

Scotland were given a glimmer of hope when a few chances from Kate Nicolson and McQuillan were only inches over the bar.

However, it would be the Italians again who would finish the half strong and go into the break with another goal. Berti causing problems again for the Scotland defence found Beccari who had an easy finish past Yates to make it 3-0.

The second half started in a similar vein to how the first ended with Italy making it 4-0 on the 57th minute. The impressive Berti this time found the top corner with a beautiful strike outside the box.

Alicia Yates was called into action once again producing a fine save from Maltilde Pavan. The rebound fell to Berti who’s effort came back off the post.

It was Berti again who would have the final clear cut chance when her effort in the six-yard box was parried away by Yates.

It’s job done for this international break for Pauline MacDonald as eyes now turn to November where she’ll find out who her side will play in the Elite rounds for the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championships in Sweden next summer.

Scotland: Alicia Yates, Freya MacDonald, Tegan Bowie, Robyn McCafferty, Kate Nicolson ©, Monica Forsyth, Rebecca McAllistair, Rosie McQuillan, Neve Guthrie, Bayley Hutchison, Paige McAllister

Subs: Rachael Johnstone, Jessica Broadrick, Jenna Penman, Addison Handley, Lucy Sinclair, Eva Thomson, Kirsty O’Brien, Ellie-Jai Reid, Eilidh Adams

Italy: Astrid Gilardi, Sofia Panetta, Alice Pellinghelli, Nicole Arcangeli, Alice Giai, Chiara Beccari, Emma Severini ©, Alice Corelli, Maria Letizia Musolino, Matilda Pavan, Alicia Illaria Berti

Subs: Valentina Soggiu, Erika De Pellegrini, Elisa Mariani, Giada Abate, Arianna Marengoni, Rossella Larenza, Susanna Ciocca, Federico Buonamassa, Valentina Colombo

Attendance: 249