Cher Ndour delivered his biggest performance of Italy Under-21’s qualifying campaign on the night there was no margin left for error. The Azzurrini captain scored twice against Poland, including an extraordinary effort from almost 70 metres, as Italy secured direct qualification for EURO U21 2027.
Italy entered the final group match knowing they needed to win by at least two goals to finish above Poland. Their opponents arrived in Pescara with nine victories from nine qualifiers and only two goals conceded, but Silvio Baldini’s side overturned that record quickly. Luca Koleosho opened the scoring before Ndour arrived in the penalty area to head Italy into a 2–0 lead after 27 minutes.
Ndour’s second came early in the second half. After recovering possession deep inside Italy’s half, he saw goalkeeper Marcel Łubik away from his line and struck from almost 70 metres, sending the ball over the Polish goalkeeper and into the net. It made the score 3–0 and put Italy firmly in control of a match that had begun with their place at the European Championship still unresolved.
Luca Lipani, Seydou Fini and Luigi Cherubini added three more as Italy completed a 6–2 victory, overtook Poland at the top of the group and secured their place at the 2027 European Championship in Albania and Serbia.
The goal from distance will inevitably dominate the highlights, but Ndour’s performance carried greater significance than one extraordinary strike. Italy’s captain scored twice against a team that had conceded only two goals across its previous nine qualifiers, helping turn a difficult qualification scenario into a 6–2 victory and a place at EURO U21 2027.
