Italy made it two wins in a row in the U-20 World Cup by beating ten-man Ecuador 1-0, but had goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzarri to thank for ensuring their victory.
The Azzurrini beat Mexico 2-1 in their opening game and took the lead in this one in the 15th minute when Luca Pellegrini’s deep cross was headed down by Gianluca Scamacca and found Andrea Pinamonti who volleyed into the back of the net.
The South Americans were reduced to 10 men five minutes before the break when Jackson Porozo was sent off with the help of VAR for a high tackle.
Italy made it two wins in a row in the U-20 World Cup by beating ten-man Ecuador 1-0, but had goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzarri to thank for ensuring their victory.
The Azzurrini beat Mexico 2-1 in their opening game and took the lead in this one in the 15th minute when Luca Pellegrini’s deep cross was headed down by Gianluca Scamacca and found Andrea Pinamonti who volleyed into the back of the net.
The South Americans were reduced to 10 men five minutes before the break when Jackson Porozo was sent off with the help of VAR for a high tackle.
VAR stepped in again in injury time and the referee awarded Ecuador a penalty for a shirt pull inside the box, but Milan shot-stopper Plizzarri got down sharply to keep out Leonardo Campana’s effort.
The 19-year-old made several top-class saves during the first half and was the main reason the Azzurrini went in one up at the break.
The second half saw Italy revert to habit and sit back, happy to soak up pressure, they defended stoutly while remaining dangerous on the counter-attack and were able to see the game out.
In the other match, Japan defeated Mexico 3-0 to put them on four points, two behind Italy, who have now qualified for the knockout rounds.
Ecuador Under-20 0-1 Italy Under-20
Pinamonti 15 (I)
Ecuador: Ramirez; Palacios, Vallecilla, Porozo, Espinoza (Plaza 60); Cifuentes, Alcivar (Segura 78), Alvarado; Rezabala, Plata, Campana
Italy: Plizzari; Gabbia, Del Prato, Ranieri, Bellanova; Frattesi (Alberico 90), Esposito, (Colpani 73) Pellegrini; Tripaldelli, Scamacca (Capone 83), Pinamonti
Andrea Pinamonti with a captains goal for Italy
What a cross from Pellegrini #U20WC pic.twitter.com/VAlO3w2pya
— FreeSports (@FreeSports_TV) May 26, 2019