Federico Chiesa's Brace Leads Italy Past Spain at 2019 UEFA U-21 Championship

Two goals from Federico Chiesa and a Lorenzo Pellegrini penalty saw Italy come from behind to beat Spain 3-1 at the 2019 UEFA Under-21 European Championship on Sunday.

Dani Ceballos opened the scoring in some style after just nine minutes. The Real Madrid midfielder curled the ball into the top corner from just outside the penalty area to give Spain the perfect start.

Yet Italy grabbed a deserved equaliser 10 minutes before half-time to ensure an entertaining opening 45 minutes finished all square.

Nicolo Barella sprayed a superb crossfield ball out to Chiesa out wide on the left. The Fiorentina winger then burst past Martin Aguirregabiria and beat goalkeeper Unai Simon at his near post.

Chiesa grabbed his second of the match just after the hour mark. Spain failed to clear a ball in the penalty area, allowing the Fiorentina star to pounce on the loose ball and fire home from close range.

Italy sealed the win from the penalty spot after Pellegrini was adjudged to have been pulled back by Carlos Soler after a video assistant referee check. The Roma midfielder made no mistake with his spot-kick, sending Simon the wrong way to seal the win.

Both teams named strong squads for the opening game of the tournament. Italy included Juventus forward Moise Kean in their attack, while Real Madrid trio Ceballos, Borja Mayoral and Jesus Vallejo all started for Spain:

La Rojita started the game well and broke the deadlock early courtesy of Ceballos' fine strike:

Ceballos was named the Player of the Tournament in 2017 and seemed to have picked up where he left off in the early stages of the match as Spain dominated possession.

Commentator Matteo Bonetti was impressed with Spain in the opening exchanges:

However, Italy managed to work their way back into the game, pressing their opponents high up the pitch and fully deserved their equaliser through Chiesa.

Sports journalist Robbie Dunne was critical of goalkeeper Simon's part in the goal:

The hosts then suffered a blow before the break, as midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo was forced off with a head injury and replaced by Riccardo Orsolini.

Carlos Soler tested goalkeeper Alex Meret after the break with a fierce shot that was tipped over the crossbar, but it was Italy who struck the decisive blow through the impressive Chiesa.

Substitute Patrick Cutrone latched on to a ball into the penalty area and did well to hold up play. He was eventually dispossessed by Spain, but the ball fell kindly to Chiesa, who made no mistake with the finish:

Italy extended their advantage further with just eight minutes of normal time remaining when Soler was penalised for a tug on Pellegrini.

The midfielder coolly rolled the ball past Simon to secure all three points and cap a fine individual display:

The result is the perfect start to the tournament for the hosts against tough opposition and will give the Azzurrini confidence they can progress to the knockout stages as winners of Group A.

What's Next?

Both teams play their second group game on Wednesday. Italy take on Poland, while Spain face Belgium.