Italy opens Euro 2027 qualifying with win over Poland

Italy responds after Poland’s early lead

Poland took a 7-0 lead with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Mariusz Górecky to Hubert Frej. Italy answered with a 60-yard drive that ended with Luke Zahradka finding Bruno Escobar for a touchdown. William Testa’s conversion tied the game.

Italy later took the lead before halftime. Paolo Lazzaretto recorded his second interception of the game, returning the ball 36 yards to Poland’s 30-yard line. Seven seconds later, Zahradka connected with Matteo Mozzanica for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Testa’s conversion made it 14-7.

Poland ties it, but Italy finishes ahead

Poland drew level after the break. Following a long kickoff return by Tomasz Burdziński and a 37-yard run by Kamil Kotlarz, Górecky threw a touchdown pass to Kacper Jaszewski. The conversion brought the score to 14-14.

Italy’s third touchdown pass from Zahradka, this time to Lorenzo Bassi, provided the decisive score in the fourth quarter, according to FIDAF’s report. The Italian defense had two interceptions from Lazzaretto, and Italy’s running game helped the team retain possession late in the game.

A first win for Italy’s qualifying campaign

The 21-14 result gave Italy a victory in its opening Group C game on the road to the 2027 European Championship. FIDAF noted that head coach Brian Michitti’s squad included numerous young players and several debutants.