The semi-finals of the 2026 UEFA European Under-17 Championship delivered intense drama and historic outcomes on Thursday, June 4, 2026, as Italy and BelgiumTeam·Belgium secured their places in the final. Both nations navigated challenging encounters, with Italy triumphing in a penalty shoot-out and BelgiumTeam·Belgium earning a decisive victory.
Italy's path to the final was a test of nerve against Spain. The match concluded 1-1 in regular time, necessitating a penalty shoot-out. Italy's goalkeeper, Christian LupoPlayer·Christian Lupo, emerged as a pivotal figure, making crucial saves during the shoot-out to help his side to a 4-2 victory on penalties. During the ninety minutes, Federico CrociPlayer·Federico Croci converted a penalty to give Italy the lead. Spain responded five minutes after Enzo AlvesPlayer·Enzo Alves struck the crossbar, with Mikel Urrestarazu finding the equalizer, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
In the other semi-final, BelgiumTeam·Belgium made history by defeating France 2-1, reaching their first-ever UEFA European Under-17 Championship final. Jayden Onia SekePlayer·Jayden Onia Seke opened the scoring for BelgiumTeam·Belgium, providing an early advantage. Ilyas Benktib then extended their lead with a well-executed lob, showcasing the team's offensive capabilities. France, despite their strong group stage performance, could not overcome the Belgian challenge.
BelgiumTeam·Belgium's coach, Sven Vermant, reflected on his team's journey, attributing their success to significant effort. "A lot of sweat and tears," Vermant stated, highlighting the dedication of his squad. He also expressed confidence in his players' attacking flair, adding, "With the creativity they have, I will not limit them." Goalscorer Jayden Onia SekePlayer·Jayden Onia Seke shared his elation, saying, "I'm so happy for my team."
Both finalists demonstrated strong form throughout the tournament. BelgiumTeam·Belgium topped Group A, while Italy led Group B. France finished as runners-up in Group B, and Spain were runners-up in Group A. Notably, both BelgiumTeam·Belgium and France had conceded only one goal each in the group stage, underscoring their defensive solidity.
For Italy, this marks an opportunity to claim their second Under-17 EURO title, having previously won the tournament in 2024. BelgiumTeam·Belgium's progression is particularly significant, as it ends a streak of four previous semi-final exits, marking a historic milestone for their youth football program. The tournament also serves as a crucial qualifying event for the FIFA U-17 World CupCompetition·FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, with the top teams earning berths.
Italy and BelgiumTeam·Belgium will now face each other in the final of the 2026 UEFA European Under-17 Championship on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Lilleküla staadion in TallinnVenue·Tallinn, promising a compelling conclusion to the competition.
Christian Lupo celebrates Italy's victory over Spain in the UEFA Under-17 European Championship Semifinal. Mauri Levandi/IMAGO
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