Italy pipped Hungary to a place in the Nations League finals with an assured win over the hosts in Budapest.
Marco Rossi’s Hungary side had gone into the fixture at the Puskas Arena only needing a draw to reach the last four of the competition.
However, a defensive lapse allowed Giacomo Raspadori to roll the ball into an empty net and put Italy ahead.
Federico Dimarco sealed victory for the European champions after the break when he tapped in Bryan Cristante’s cross.
The result means Italy finish top of Group A3 with 11 points from six games, one point above Hungary, with Germany third and relegated England in fourth.
It also marks Italy’s first win in Budapest since 1996 and while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was called upon to make several excellent late saves, Roberto Mancini’s side were worthy winners.
Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, join Croatia and the Netherlands in next June’s finals tournament, with Spain and Portugal set to meet in Braga on Tuesday for the last available spot.
Line-ups
Hungary
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Gulácsi
- 2Lang
- 6Orbán
- 4Szalai
- 5FiolaBooked at 87mins
- 8NagySubstituted forStylesat 45′minutes
- 13Schäfer
- 18KerkezSubstituted forGazdagat 57′minutes
- 7NégoSubstituted forBollaat 75′minutes
- 10SzoboszlaiSubstituted forKleinheislerat 85′minutes
- 9SzalaiBooked at 45minsSubstituted forÁdámat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Mocsi
- 11Varga
- 12Dibusz
- 14Bolla
- 15Kleinheisler
- 16Gazdag
- 17Styles
- 19Ádám
- 20Baráth
- 21Botka
- 22Szappanos
- 23Vécsei
Italy
Formation 3-5-2
- 1G Donnarumma
- 4Tolói
- 19Bonucci
- 15AcerbiBooked at 34minsSubstituted forBastoniat 45′minutes
- 2Di LorenzoSubstituted forMazzocchiat 90′minutes
- 18Barella
- 8JorginhoSubstituted forPobegaat 73′minutes
- 16Cristante
- 3Dimarco
- 11GnontoSubstituted forGabbiadiniat 66′minutes
- 10RaspadoriSubstituted forScamaccaat 72′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Ramos Marchi
- 6Pobega
- 7Frattesi
- 9Scamacca
- 12Meret
- 13Esposito
- 14Grifo
- 17Mazzocchi
- 20Gabbiadini
- 21Provedel
- 22Zerbin
- 23Bastoni
- Referee:
- Benoît Bastien
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Hungary 0, Italy 2.
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Second Half ends, Hungary 0, Italy 2.
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Foul by Attila Szalai (Hungary).
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Nicolò Barella (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. András Schäfer (Hungary) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Offside, Italy. Pasquale Mazzocchi tries a through ball, but Gianluca Scamacca is caught offside.
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László Kleinheisler (Hungary) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alessandro Bastoni (Italy).
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Foul by László Kleinheisler (Hungary).
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Federico Dimarco (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Italy. Pasquale Mazzocchi replaces Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
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Attempt missed. Gianluca Scamacca (Italy) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt saved. Federico Dimarco (Italy) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
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László Kleinheisler (Hungary) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Alessandro Bastoni (Italy).
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Attila Fiola (Hungary) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Attila Fiola (Hungary).
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Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Italy) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Hungary. László Kleinheisler replaces Dominik Szoboszlai.
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Foul by András Schäfer (Hungary).
