Iran Press/ Europe: The two 21-year-olds impressed their manager by lighting up the first half, as Kean netted twice either side of an Edgaras Utkus own goal, and Raspadori, making his first start for his country, also scored.
Moise Kean scored twice and Giacomo Raspadori netted his first Italy goal — and forced an own goal — in an impressive first half for the Italians. It was the first time Italy had scored four in the opening 30 minutes of an international match.
The two 21-year-olds, who were born within 10 days of each other, had started because of a number of absentees in the Italy squad, including Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, and Federico Chiesa.
“It’s all in their minds and their feet,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. “If they do what they need to do, work seriously, work hard, remain organized on the field, then they have a great future. But it depends on them.”
Giovanni Di Lorenzo also scored his first goal for Italy, early in the second half.
“Despite losing so many players between yesterday and the day before, the lads who went out onto the field responded well,” Mancini said. “Obviously the opponents weren’t of the highest quality, but then scoring five or six goals isn’t so easy, what’s important is that we did good things.”
Italy remained atop Group C and extended its advantage to six points ahead of second-place Switzerland, which has played two matches fewer.
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