Italy ended Burkina Faso’s U17 World Cup adventure with a tight 1-0 win in the semi-finals on Friday afternoon.
The Stallions fought with courage throughout the match, yet one late mistake ended their hopes.
Italy controlled the ball from the first minute and set the rhythm. Burkina Faso stayed calm under pressure and defended with impressive structure.
Their compact shape frustrated the Italians, who struggled to find space in the final third.
Burkina Faso even created the first major chance. In the 20th minute, Mohammed Zongo dribbled down the flank and unleashed a fierce strike.
His effort smashed against the crossbar as the Italian goalkeeper stood rooted.
The Stallions grew in confidence. They broke forward again in the 40th minute through Alassane Bagayogo.
His curling effort forced a strong save. Ismaël Zallé reacted sharply to the rebound but sent his shot against the post.
Burkina Faso missed another golden chance to shift the momentum.
The second half began with more urgency from the Burkinabe side. They pushed higher and pressed with intensity.
Rahim Ouattara kept his team alive in the 70th minute with a vital one-on-one save against Inacio Samuel.
The Stallions believed they could survive the Italian pressure.
But their resistance cracked late on. In the 83rd minute, Rahim Ouattara misjudged a clearance.
Thomas Campaniello stepped in, reacted faster, and drove the ball into the net. Italy took the lead and shifted the tie completely.
Burkina Faso chased the equaliser with determination, yet the goal never came.
Their final efforts lacked precision, and the Italians held firm until the whistle.
Italy advanced with a 1-0 victory. Burkina Faso left the tournament with pride after a bold campaign full of resilience and standout individual moments.
Their young group showed maturity, spirit, and a strong identity on the global stage.
