Italy Under-21s fought back from an early own goal to dominate the Republic of Ireland 4-1 in their qualifier.
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made history by becoming the youngest ever player for Italy at Under-21 level, aged 17 years and 28 days.
Gaetano Monachello failed to make the most of an early Domenico Berardi assist and Donnarumma was decisive on Harry Charsley from close range, but could do nothing when Rolando Mandragora shinned a clearance on a free kick and scored an own goal.
Italy Under-21s fought back from an early own goal to dominate the Republic of Ireland 4-1 in their qualifier.
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made history by becoming the youngest ever player for Italy at Under-21 level, aged 17 years and 28 days.
Gaetano Monachello failed to make the most of an early Domenico Berardi assist and Donnarumma was decisive on Harry Charsley from close range, but could do nothing when Rolando Mandragora shinned a clearance on a free kick and scored an own goal.
Danilo Cataldi’s curler from the edge of the box was palmed out of the near top corner, but soon after Italy did equalise with Marco Benassi’s splendid volley on a chipped Monachello pass.
Ireland sat further and further back, so the Azzurrini enjoyed the extra space and took the lead. A long ball found Monachello at the by-line and he half-volleyed it back across the face of goal for Rosseti to nod in.
After the restart Italy continued to dominate, but were again almost caught out by a set play when Glen Rea was inches away from sliding on to it at the back post.
They did add a third when a Cataldi free kick was taken quickly and rolled across the six-yard box by Antonio Barreca for Alessio Romagnoli’s tap-in from a tight angle.
Donnarumma got away with a fumble on a corner, as Conor Wilkinson ballooned the follow-up over an open goal, but showed excellent reflexes to deny Darragh Lenihan’s header from point-blank range.
The fourth goal was somewhat chaotic, as a free kick was knocked back and Romagnoli’s effort came off the upright only to ricochet in off Darragh Lenihan.
Monachello would’ve made it 5-1 late on if not for an excellent Daniel Rodgers save, but the three points ensure Italy top Group 2 with 16 points from six games, four ahead of Slovenia and six in front of Serbia (who have a game in hand).
Ireland 1-4 Italy
Scorers: Mandragora og 17 (RI), Benassi 28 (I), Rosseti 36 (I), Romagnoli 59 (I), D Lenihan og 82 (I)
Republic of Ireland: Rogers; B Lenihan, Keown, Rea, Connors; Charsley (Miele 72), O’Connor (Hoare 72), D Lenihan, J Byrne (Maguire 84), O’Dowda; Wilkinson
Italy: Donnarumma; Conti, Caldara, Romagnoli, Barreca; Cataldi (Mazzitelli 77), Mandragora, Benassi, Berardi (Garritano 65); Monachello (Ricci 85), Rosseti
Ref: Vertenten (BEL)