Italy maintained their hopes of qualifying directly for the European U21 Championship after Alphadjo Cisse scored in the 95th minute to secure victory over Armenia.
The Azzurrini knew they had to win in Armenia before facing Poland in a decisive head-to-head match, with top spot in the group and automatic qualification at stake.
Italy were without Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo, who withdrew through injury, so Francesco Camarda started despite having made very few appearances for Milan this season.
Armenia posed an early threat on the counter-attack, while Misak Hakobyan tested Lorenzo Palmisani with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Italy then missed a good opportunity when Seydou Fini headed Luca Koleosho’s cross narrowly wide of the near post.
Palmisani produced a difficult low save to keep out another effort from Hakobyan, before Cher Ndour headed Niccolo Pisilli’s corner off target.
Camarda forced Hayk Ghazaryan into a save shortly after the interval, but Italy were twice denied by the woodwork. Cisse’s curling attempt struck the crossbar, while Pietro Comuzzo headed against the frame after Niccolo Fortini had flicked on a Mattia Liberali free-kick.
Italy were awarded a penalty after Petik Manukyan handled an acrobatic flick from Cisse. However, Koleosho’s 77th-minute spot-kick was saved by Ghazaryan.
Cisse continued to threaten and almost found the breakthrough with a powerful left-foot volley from the edge of the area, only for Ghazaryan to make a sensational stop.
The Armenia goalkeeper then denied Luigi Cherubini, but Cisse reacted quickest to the rebound and finally found the net in the fifth minute of added time.
Armenia U21: Ghazaryan; Tsarukyan, Manukyan, A Hakobyan, Krmzian; Askaryan, D Hakobyan (Kirakosian 61), Sargsyan (Ayvazyan 46); Harutyunyan (Davytan 61), Eloyan (Vardanyan 75), M Hakobyan (Vardanyan 75).
Italy U21: Palmisani; Favasuli (Lulli 46), Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Moruzzi (Fortini 52); Ndour, Lipani (Liberali 46), Pisilli; Fini (Cisse 46), Camarda, Koleosho (Cherubini 79).
Goals: Cisse 95 (Italy).
Penalty missed: Koleosho 77 (Italy).
Cisse’s late intervention keeps Italy’s qualification campaign alive ahead of their meeting with Poland.
