Armenia U21 concede in the 95th minute and narrowly lose to Italy (VIDEO)

Armenia U21 suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Italy in the ninth round of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. The match ended 0-1, with the Italians scoring the only goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Armenia goalkeeper Hayk Ghazaryan was the hero of the match for a long time, producing several outstanding saves and preventing one of the group favourites from breaking the deadlock.

In the 77th minute, Italy were awarded a penalty for handball, but Ghazaryan saved Luca Koleosho’s spot kick to keep the score at 0-0.

Armen Gyulbudaghyants’ side were forced to defend for most of the match but showed great commitment and occasionally created dangerous opportunities on the counterattack. Armenia’s defenders resisted heavy pressure from the opposition almost until the final whistle.

Just when it seemed Armenia were going to earn their first point of the qualifying campaign, Italy snatched the victory. In the 95th minute, Alphadjo Cisse, the AC Milan player who had come on after the break, scored the decisive goal to make it 0-1.

It was Armenia’s ninth defeat in nine matches in the qualifying campaign. The team remain bottom of Group E without a point.

However, the final results have not always reflected the way Armenia U21 have performed. In several matches, the team came close to earning a draw or a better result but let it slip away in the closing minutes. The match against Italy became another example.

Armenia U21 will play their final qualifier on October 5, when they face Montenegro U21 away from home.

Line-ups

Armenia U21: Hayk Ghazaryan — Suren Tsarukyan, Petik Manukyan, Andranik Hakobyan, Poghos Krmzyan — Artur Askaryan, Hamlet Sargsyan (Michel Ayvazyan, 46) — David Harutyunyan (David Davtyan, 61), David Hakobyan (David Kirakosyan, 61), Misak Hakobyan (Petros Alekyan, 75) — Araik Eloyan (Edik Vardanyan, 75).

Italy U21: Palmisani — Favasuli (Lulli, 46), Comuzzo, Chiarodia, Moruzzi (Fortini, 52) — Pisilli, Lipani (Liberali, 46), Ndour — Fini (Cisse, 46), Koleosho (Cherubini, 77) — Camarda.

Match highlights: