Ramos, the Azzurri and Nico Paz: a Serie A international break
From the Nations League to the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers, the stars of Serie A Enilive made their mark all over the world, with decisive goals, assists, firsts and new milestones. Here’s a look back at the second half of the international break.
**Ramos leads Portugal, Højlund responds for Denmark
**
The final two Nations League fixtures saw Gonçalo Ramos firmly establish himself as Portugal’s first-choice centre-forward. The AC Milan striker made his mark in the 4-2 win away to Denmark, first setting up Cancelo for the opener before scoring Portugal’s second to make it 2-1. Three days later, he was decisive once again, scoring the 2-1 winner against Norway to secure Portugal’s qualification for the quarter-finals. His goalscoring run has spanned the entire international break: Ramos has scored three goals in his last three starts for Portugal, getting a goal every time he has been named in the starting XI.
On the other side of Denmark 2-4 Portugal, Rasmus Højlund had responded by scoring Denmark’s equaliser to make it 2-2. The Napoli striker scored again in his next match, converting the penalty that decided Wales 0-1 Denmark: two goals in his last two matches of the international break.
**Mancini’s Italy impress
**
**
Alessandro Bastoni**’s excellent run of form in an Italy shirt continues. After opening the scoring against Turkey in the first part of the international break, the Inter defender scored again in the 1-1 draw against France, capitalising on a mistake in Les Bleus’ build-up before beating Maignan. It was Bastoni’s second consecutive goal for the national team.
Serie A also played its part in Italy’s subsequent 3-1 win over Turkey. In Bologna, Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a close-range volley. Then, late on, Francesco Pio Esposito added his name to the scoresheet: introduced from the bench, he scored in the 87th minute by diverting Romano’s cross-shot into the net to make it 3-1. The Inter centre-forward already has seven goals in 13 appearances for the senior team. At the age of 21, only Giuseppe Meazza had previously reached seven goals for the Azzurri at a younger age (20 years and 155 days).
**Adžić takes centre stage, Koopmeiners gets back on the scoresheet
**
**
Vasilije Adžić** enjoyed a night to remember. The Juventus midfielder scored both of Montenegro’s goals in their 2-1 victory over Latvia, opening the scoring after just three minutes before completing his brace in the second half. The two goals secured Montenegro’s first win in the group.
Also among the standout performers on matchday three was Piotr Zieliński, who scored one of the goals in Poland’s 6-0 win over Romania, while Kerim Alajbegović rescued a point for Bosnia and Herzegovina by scoring the equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Sweden.
Matchday four saw Teun Koopmeiners get back on the scoresheet for the Netherlands. Deployed at the heart of the defence, the Juventus player opened the scoring in the 2-1 win over Serbia with a direct free-kick. It was his fourth goal for the Oranje and his first since November 2024. Another Bianconero, Edon Zhegrova, also made an impact that day, providing the assist for Kosovo’s opener in their 1-1 draw with Austria.
There was also a debut to remember for Kieron Bowie. The Sassuolo striker opened the scoring after eight minutes in Scotland’s 2-0 win over North Macedonia, controlling the ball with his back to goal, before turning and finding the corner with his left foot. This marked his first senior international goal, coming on his fifth appearance.
Mikael Egill Ellertsson was also amongst the goals, with the Genoa midfielder completing Iceland’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria and adding to the long list of Serie A goalscorers during this international window.
Da Cunha provides his first assist for France
Another important step was taken by Lucas Da Cunha. The Como midfielder came on in the 61st minute of France 4-1 Belgium and, just 16 minutes later, registered his first assist for Les Bleus, setting up Désiré Doué for the equaliser. It was an assured cameo, capped by his first international assist and one that helped spark France’s comeback.
**Cisse strikes at the death, then Ndour sparks U21 celebrations
**
Even more dramatic scenes came from Italy U21, who went from a last-gasp victory to direct qualification for the 2027 European Championship within the space of four days.
Against Armenia, Alphadjo Cisse came to the rescue. Introduced at half-time and already involved after hitting the crossbar and winning a penalty, the AC Milan player found the decisive opening in the 96th minute, curling a shot into the top corner to secure a 1-0 win and keeping Italy’s hopes of finishing top alive going into the final matchday.
Four days later, Poland were the opponents, and Italy needed to win by at least two goals to complete the turnaround. They scored six. The star of the 6-2 victory in Pescara was undoubtedly Cher Ndour. The Fiorentina midfielder scored twice, first with a header and then with the most spectacular goal of the night: winning the ball back in his own half, taking one look at goal and shooting from around 70 metres to catch the Polish goalkeeper off guard and make it 3-0. Two other Serie A Enilive players also contributed to the rout. Luca Lipani came on in the 56th minute and scored the fourth just three minutes later, while Seydou Fini, also introduced from the bench, made it 5-1 in the second half.
Two very different victories, but both decisive in achieving the same goal: top spot in the group and direct qualification for the European Under-21 Championship finals.
**
Nico Paz makes it three in three, Lautaro and Mastantuono also score
**
Serie A also made its mark in the international friendlies. In Argentina’s 7-0 win over Burkina Faso, three players from the league scored: Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono.
The Inter captain opened the scoring in the fourth minute, following up after his penalty was saved by the goalkeeper, and then contributed to the rout with an assist. Nico Paz scored Argentina’s fourth, while Mastantuono’s goal to make it 6-0 in the second half was particularly special: it was his first senior international goal.
A few days later, against Benin, it was Nico Paz who once again took centre stage. Introduced in the 60th minute, the Como star needed just one minute to make his mark: after receiving an assist from Lionel Messi, he controlled the ball on the edge of the box before firing home with his left foot to make it 2-0 in Argentina’s 3-0 victory. Another moment of brilliance to round off an outstanding international break: Paz scored in all three of Argentina’s matches.
