U21: Gnonto brace in 7-0 win over San Marino

The Italy Under-21 side ran out 7-0 winners in a European Championship qualifier against San Marino, as Wilfried Gnonto scored two goals and Riccardo Calafiori assisting twice.

The Azzurrini took to the field at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle and temporarily take top spot on 10 points, though the Republic of Ireland have a game in hand on nine.

Cristian Volpato rattled the frame of the goal on a Gnonto assist after just three minutes, followed moments later by Lorenzo Pirola nodding in the resulting corner.

Leeds United forward Gnonto dropped down to the Under-21 side from the senior squad and made his presence count with two goals.

Cesare Casadei flicked on the Riccardo Calafiori cross for Gnonto to come sliding in, then nine minutes later he turned in right-footed from an Esposito assist.

Volpato was unlucky, seeing another attempt cleared off the line, but finally got his goal after the restart on a Calafiori assist.

Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian tapped in another Calafiori pass and when Gnonto was brought down, Esposito converted the penalty.

Fiorentina midfielder Alessandro Bianco scored with a long-range strike.

San Marino 0-7 Italy

Pirola 4, Gnonto 30, 39, Volpato 47, Fabbian 54, Esposito pen 62, Bianco 83

San Marino U21: Amici; Giambalvo (Zavoli 60), Matteoni, Pasolini; Giocondi, Rastelli (Dolcini 80), Zannoni, Toccaceli, Contadini (Benvenuti 80); Sensoli, Famiglietti

Italy U21: Desplanches; Zanotti (Turicchia 46), Pirola (Guarino 63), Ghilardi, Calafiori; Ndour, Prati (Bianco 57), Casadei (Fabbian 46); Volpato; P Esposito, Gnonto (Ambrosino 72)

Source From: Football Italia

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