Italy U21: Azzurrini crush North Macedonia in convincing victory
Italy swept North Macedonia aside 4-0 in their European Under-21 Championship qualifier, including Cher Ndour, Luca Lipani and Jeff Ekhator goals.The Azzurrini had won five of their six games in the g...
Italy U21: Azzurrini crush North Macedonia in convincing victory Italy swept North Macedonia aside 4-0 in their European Under-21 Championship qualifier , including Cher Ndour, Luca Lipani and Jeff Ekhator goals. The Azzurrini had won five of their six games in the group, losing away to Poland. They lost Marco Palestra and Niccolò Pisilli to the senior squad, with Francesco Camarda injured, but gave Honest Ahanor his first call days after his 18 th birthday made him eligible.
It took just a few minutes for the Nazionale to break the deadlock, as Davide Bartesaghi got down the flank and put in a cross for Fiorentina midfielder Cher Ndour’s header. EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Cher Ndour of Italy U21 celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Luca Lipani was unlucky not to add a second on 13 minutes when his angled drive smacked against the inside of the far post on the Luigi Cherubini assist.
Jeff Ekhator’s back-heel flick was crucially deflected from six yards, but Lipani struck the woodwork for a second time with a header off the crossbar. Italy did double their advantage straight after the restart, as it was third time lucky for Lipani with a shot from outside the area that squirmed into the far bottom corner off the inside of the right boot. Play had barely resumed when the Nazionale added a third with Ekhator, who turned in at the near post from a Dagasso assist down the right.
It might’ve been marginally offside, but with no VAR at this stage, the goal counted. EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Jeff Ekhator of Italy U21 celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal with Michael Kayode and Luca Kaleosho during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Luca Koleosho went on a mazy run before his shot was charged down, while Ndour’s effort was palmed away on the line.