Mustacchio strike lifts Italy above Wales

Italy took top spot in Group 3 and a place in the 2010/11 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs with a narrow win against their nearest rivals in Pescara.

A draw for Wales would have been enough to take them into Friday's draw, but Mattia Mustacchio's strike handed the three points to Pierluigi Casiraghi's side, who reached the semi-finals of the 2009 edition in Sweden only to lose 1-0 to eventual winners Germany. As for Brian Flynn's Wales, they have not qualified for the play-offs as one of the four best runners-up.

The only goal of the game came after just 14 minutes, with a fine cross from Luca Marrone picking out winger Mustacchio to score his first international goal at this level via a finish into the far corner. It was a relief for coach Casiraghi, whose side also held their nerve to win another crucial qualifier in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the same margin on Friday.

"We played very well in two very important matches, winning both 1-0," said the former Juventus, S.S. Lazio and Chelsea FC striker. "I'm really, really happy, even though I know we haven't reached our target yet. If you look back at where we were two months ago, I have to be proud of my players and myself too.

"Andrea Ranocchia and Angelo Ogbonna are great defenders," he added. "Thanks to them and their team-mates we didn't get into any trouble against Bosnia and Herzegovina or Wales."