Rome, 27 November (LaPresse) – At the U17 World Cup, Massimiliano Favo's Italian national team wrote a historic page in Italian youth football. Italy won 4-2 on penalties against Brazil – winner of the last edition of the South American Championship in this category – after regular time ended 0-0, thus winning the bronze medal, the first ever for the Azzurrini in the competition. After Torino midfielder Andrea Luongo missed his penalty, Alessandro Longoni, the Milan goalkeeper who won the European Championship in Cyprus in 2024 with the Under-17s alongside Thomas Campaniello, made decisive saves to deny Palmeiras midfielder Luis Pacheco and Gremio's Luis Eduardo. The winning penalty for Italy was converted by Empoli midfielder Alessio Baralla – who came on for Valerio Maccaroni in the 88th minute – who wrong-footed Santos goalkeeper João Pedro, sparking the celebrations. ‘The Azzurrini were extraordinary, congratulations to them, to coach Favo and to all the staff,’ said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. ‘It's a World Cup bronze medal that is worth much more for the quality, determination and attachment to the shirt of all the boys. This is yet another confirmation of how much talent there is in Italy and of the fact that we must believe in our young people.’
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