Classy Casadei helps Azzurri to knockout berth

Italy booked their place in the knockout stage of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ in dramatic fashion, as the Azzurri advanced from Group D on goal difference over Nigeria following a 3-0 win against Dominican Republic.

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Cesare Casadei opened the scoring after 19 minutes, when the Chelsea-owned midfielder steered home a Guiseppe Ambrosino flick-on.

Ambrosino then turned scorer just after the interval, as the forward capitalised on a Dominican Republic mix-up to sweep home a fine right-footed effort from the edge of the area.

Casadei made the game safe and improved the Azzurri's goal difference with five minutes to go, as he weaved his way into the Dominicans' box before firing home his fourth goal of the group stage.

Italy, who are yet to lift the U-20 World Cup, will face the winners of Group E on 31 May at La Plata Stadium.

THE STAT

4 Cesare Casadei became the third Italian player in as many Under-20 World Cups to net at least four goals. The midfielder follows Riccardo Orsolini's adidas Golden Boot-winning efforts (5) from Korea Republic 2017, and Andrea Pinamonti (4) at Poland 2019.