By our man in Qatar
DOHA, Qatar – Italy’s young stars blazed a trail in the desert heat today, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over a spirited Czechia side to power into the next round of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The win, achieved in the high-stakes atmosphere of the Round of 32, came on the turf of the Aspire Zone – Pitch 1 (Mohammed Ghanim), a venue in Doha, Qatar, which proved a challenging backdrop for both teams but ultimately a happy hunting ground for the Azzurrini.
The state-of-the-art Aspire Zone facility, a cornerstone of Qatar’s world-class sporting infrastructure, hosted the thrilling encounter. While the venue lacked the grandstands of a mega-stadium, the match was a relentless battle on the manicured grass of Pitch 1, where the clinical Italians eventually found their groove.
The first half was a tight, goalless affair, with the Czech defence holding firm under the afternoon sun.
However, the game burst into life shortly after the break.
Young Italian hotshot Antonio Arena broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
The goal came after a frantic scramble in the Czech box, with Arena pouncing on a loose ball to smash it home, sending the Italian bench into raptures. The Czechs protested, but a swift VAR check confirmed the goal was good, shattering their resolve.
The Czech Republic chased the game with urgency, but it was Italy who applied the killer blow. Vincenzo Maccaroni sealed the deal in the 78th minute, netting the second to secure a vital two-goal cushion and ensure passage to the Round of 16.
The performance underlined Italy’s tournament credentials, completing a flawless run from the group stage and proving they can handle the pressure—and the unique conditions—at the Qatari training complex.
For Czechia, the Aspire Zone became the point where their World Cup dream ended.
