Holders Italy and France are through to the semi-finals of UEFA U19 Euro 2024 with a game to spare.
The Italians defeated Northern Ireland 3-0 in their second of three Group A encounters on Thursday night to reach the last four.
And yesterday the French were involved in a hugely entertaining Group B game which saw them defeat Denmark by four goals to two. It took their points tally to six, guaranteeing them a place in the semis, too.
Italy will go into the semi-finals as winners of Group A on six points. They will face the Group B runner-up at 2pm next Thursday (25 July) in the first of two last four matches being staged at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park that day.
However, they will not know the identity of their opponents until the final set of Group B fixtures on Monday.
That’s because Spain, on four points, could still overhaul the French at the top of the Group B table when the two countries meet on Monday. The winner of the group will face the Group A runner-up in the second semi-final at the National Stadium next Thursday (7pm).
The Irish Football Association is currently hosting U19 Euro 2024 along with UEFA. Group stage games are being played at Seaview in Belfast and Larne’s Inver Park, while the semi-finals and final will be played at the National Football Stadium.
Game one on Thursday was a stalemate between Norway and Ukraine at Seaview.
Norway created the best chances of the first half. Vladyslav Krapyvtsov deflected Benjamin Faraas' effort on to the post in the fourth minute before Sander Kilen's drive from an acute angle also required the keeper's attention.
In a second half with few clearcut chances, Ukraine's Taras Mykhavko's cross-shot nearly caught out Martin Børsheim, and then the Norwegian keeper needed to block Dmytro Bohdanov from close range.
Kevin Zeroli's volley in the 15th minute – his second goal of the tournament – put Italy in front against Northern Ireland at Inver Park.
When a wayward pass gifted Francesco Camarda the chance to double the lead, the 16-year-old made no mistake, pouncing to neatly clip the ball past Northern Ireland keeper Pierce Charles on the stroke of half-time.
Three minutes into the second half Camarda, who scored twice in Italy’s U17 Euro final victory over Portugal last month, struck again. This time he latched on to Vittorio Magni's low cross from the right and stroked the ball into the net.
Northern Ireland grafted to create chances, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Braiden Graham appeared to be hauled down inside the penalty area, however Italy were the better team overall on the night.
France made it two wins out of two – they eased past Turkiye on a 2-1 scoreline in their first game at the tournament - when they defeated Denmark in Larne yesterday.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya capped a swift move by steering France in front on 19 minutes.
With captain Valentin Atangana powering the engine, Bernard Diomede's side posed a constant threat through the middle of the pitch, however Thomas Jørgensen and Valdemar Andreasen still managed to go close for Denmark in the first half.
The Danes upped their intensity, mounting several quick breaks early in the second half, and the game turned into a battle.
Ayman Aiki came off the bench to increase France’s advantage on 65 minutes before two more substitutes, Saimon Bouabre and Dehmaine Assoumani, struck for the well-oiled France unit. Cornelius Olsson and Alexander Simmelhack responded late on for Denmark.
In yesterday’s second match, played at Seaview, Turkiye put the cat among the pigeons by drawing 1-1 with Spain, who had eased past the Danes in their first game.
Soykan Başar's energetic Türkiye piled forward from the referee's opening whistle, putting Spain under immediate pressure.
But José Lana's side remained composed and structured, stretching their opponents by switching play from wing to wing, and both sides mustered decent chances.
Centre back Yarek Gasiorowski's powerful header from an in-swinging corner in the 55th minute looked to have secured a win for the Spanish, however a tremendous last-gasp finish from Fahri Ay ensured Türkiye took a point in Belfast.
It means Turkiye could now finish as runner-up in the group behind France if they defeat Denmark by two clear goals on Monday and France beat the Spanish. Turkiye currently have one point and a goal difference of -1 after two games, while Spain have four points and a goal difference of +1.
And if Denmark, despite not having any points to date, defeat the Turks they could reach a FIFA U20 World Cup play-off, which will be contested next week by the teams finishing third in each group.
Turkiye are scheduled to play the Danes at Seaview (7pm) on Monday, while Spain v France is at Inver Park (also at 7pm).
Today is a rest day, however the Group A teams will be back in action tomorrow (Sunday 21July) before Group B draws to a close the following day.
Northern Ireland will still have all to play for in Group A when they face Norway at Seaview (7pm).
Gareth McAuley’s side, who have one point from their two group games to date, will have to defeat Norway (two points) to guarantee they either reach the semi-finals of the tournament or enter the FIFA U20 World Cup play-off.
If Italy defeat or draw with Ukraine (two points) - at Inver Park (7pm) - then Northern Ireland would go through to the last four if they beat the Norwegians.
And if Ukraine win then they would go through to the semis and Northern Ireland U19s would advance to the play-off – but only if they defeat Norway.
For highlights of the action so far go to the UEFA Under-19 section on uefa.com.
To buy tickets to U19 Euros matches go to irishfa.com/u19euro.
Image: Sixteen-year-old Italian striker Francesco Camarda, who scored twice in Italy’s U17 Euro final victory over Portugal last month, netted another double against Northern Ireland at the U19 Euros.
