Italy U17 Women vs Hungary Women U17: International Friendly Ends 2-2 After Late Drama

Italy U17 Women and Hungary Women U17 played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in an international friendly on 17 September 2026, a match that delivered four goals, several momentum shifts and a late equalizer that ensured neither side finished with maximum satisfaction. With a 17:00 kickoff, the game served as an important development test for two young squads looking to build rhythm, tactical discipline and confidence ahead of future competitive fixtures.

Italy U17 Women, often referred to as the Azzurrine at youth level, began the game with the sharper intent and controlled long spells of possession. Hungary Women U17, however, proved resilient and dangerous on the counterattack, twice recovering from a losing position to claim a deserved share of the spoils. The final scoreline of 2-2 reflected the balance of play: Italy had more of the ball, but Hungary carried a genuine threat whenever they broke forward.

Match Overview

• Competition: International Friendly
• Result: Italy U17 Women 2-2 Hungary Women U17
• Date: 17 September 2026
• Kickoff: 17:00
• Goals: Italy U17 Women — Giulia Conti, Sofia Romano; Hungary Women U17 — Lilla Kovács, Zsófia Nagy

First Half: Italy Start Strong, Hungary Respond

Italy U17 Women settled quickly and looked comfortable in possession during the opening quarter of the match. Their midfield rotated the ball well, drawing Hungary’s press before switching play into wide areas. That early territory paid off when Giulia Conti opened the scoring in the 18th minute, finishing calmly after a well-worked move down the right side. It was the kind of goal that reflected Italy’s game plan: patient buildup, quick combination play and a decisive final touch.

For much of the first half, Italy looked the more polished side. Their center-backs stepped forward aggressively, their full-backs pushed high, and the front three constantly tested Hungary’s back line. Yet Hungary Women U17 refused to buckle. They defended in a compact block, absorbed pressure and waited for turnovers. Just before halftime, that approach produced the equalizer. In the 41st minute, Lilla Kovács latched onto a loose ball in transition, drove into space and beat the goalkeeper with a low strike to make it 1-1.

The halftime whistle arrived with the score level, but the match had already established a clear pattern: Italy would dominate the ball, while Hungary would look to strike quickly when the opportunity arose.

Second Half: Romano Restores Italy’s Lead, Nagy Has the Final Word

Italy U17 Women started the second half with renewed urgency and regained the lead in the 67th minute. Sofia Romano rose highest from a corner and powered a header into the net, rewarding Italy’s pressure and restoring their advantage at 2-1. At that stage, the Azzurrine looked capable of pulling away, with Hungary forced deeper and deeper into their own half.

But Hungary Women U17 showed impressive character. They adjusted their midfield shape, pushed their wingers higher and began to find more joy in the channels. Their persistence paid off in the 84th minute when Zsófia Nagy converted from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area. The goal silenced the Italian bench and set up a tense final stretch.

Italy pushed for a winner in the closing minutes, sending extra players forward and delivering a series of crosses into the box. Hungary’s goalkeeper Anna Tóth made two important saves to preserve the draw, while the defense cleared several dangerous balls under pressure. When the final whistle blew, the 2-2 scoreline felt like a fair reflection of a contest in which both teams had spells of control but neither could land the decisive blow.

Key Moments

• 18’ — Italy U17 Women 1-0: Giulia Conti finishes a flowing move down the right.
• 41’ — Hungary Women U17 1-1: Lilla Kovács equalizes on the counterattack.
• 67’ — Italy U17 Women 2-1: Sofia Romano heads home from a corner.
• 84’ — Hungary Women U17 2-2: Zsófia Nagy converts a penalty to level the match.

Tactical Story: Possession vs Transitions

Italy U17 Women lined up with a fluid attacking shape and looked to dominate through central combinations. Their midfield trio kept the ball moving, while the full-backs provided width and allowed the wingers to drift inside. The approach worked well for long periods, especially in the first half, but Italy were occasionally exposed when they lost possession high up the pitch.

Hungary Women U17 set up to frustrate and counter. Their defensive block was disciplined, and their best momen