The Italy national football team secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Greece in a friendly match, thanks to a solitary goal from Francesco Pio Esposito.

The encounter, highlighted by a debut assist and a red card to a Borussia Dortmund defender, saw a 10-man Italy side triumph over Greece in an international friendly.

The friendly match took place over the weekend on Sunday (7 June 2026) or early Monday morning IST. Italy faced the 2004 European champions Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Greece.

Playing as the away side, Gli Azzurri claimed a hard-fought win. Silvio Baldini’s youthful squad managed to overcome Greece with a 1–0 margin. The only goal of the match was scored in the first half by Inter Milan forward Francesco Pio Esposito.

Despite winning, Italy did not finish the match with a full team as defender Luca Reggiani received a straight red card. The Borussia Dortmund player was sent off in the 69th minute of the second half for a foul on Anastasios Douvikas.

Baldini employed a 3-4-3 formation for the clash against the Greeks. He also handed a debut to Genoa winger Jeff Ekhator, who featured on the left flank alongside Francesco Pio Esposito and Niccolo Pisilli in the attacking trio.

Fielding a largely youthful lineup, Italy attempted to dominate proceedings from the outset. Their efforts paid off in the 18th minute when Pio Esposito found the back of the net. After receiving a low cross from Ekhator on the right, the Inter Milan striker controlled the ball and fired a first-time shot into the top corner of the net.

Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was unable to stop the strike, putting his team behind 0–1. The goal marked Pio Esposito’s second in as many appearances for Italy, following his decisive goal against Luxembourg in a previous fixture.

Greece struggled to find an equaliser for the remainder of the first half, creating few clear chances. As a result, Italy went into the break with a 1–0 lead.

In the second half, Gli Azzurri continued their attacking approach. Just two minutes after the restart, Luca Koleosho came close to doubling Italy’s advantage, but his volley from a Seydou Fini cross rattled the crossbar.

Disaster struck Italy in the 69th minute when substitute defender Luca Reggiani was shown a red card for pulling Douvikas’ shirt during a tussle for the ball. The young Dortmund defender’s dismissal forced Gianluigi Donnarumma and his teammates to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Taking advantage of the extra player, Greece pressed forward aggressively. However, despite sustained pressure deep into injury time, Italy’s defence held firm against Ivan Jovanovic’s side. The match ended 1–0 in favour of Italy, who maintained their slender lead until the final whistle.

Greece 0–1 Italy (Francesco Pio Esposito 18')

Line-ups for the friendly match on Sunday (7 June 2026) or early Monday morning IST:

Greece (3-4-1-2): 1-Vlachodimos; 5-Retsos, 17-Hatzidiakos, 3-Koulierakis; 2-Vagiannidis, 23-Triantis, 8-Mouzakitis, 19-Kyriakopoulos; 10-Tzolis; 7-Masouras, 9-Douvikas

Coach: Ivan Jovanovic

Italy (3-4-3): 1-Donnarumma; 24-Ahanor, 15-Comuzzo, 4-Chiarodia; 11-Koleosho, 5-Lipani, 10-Ndour, 3-Bartesaghi; 21-Pisilli, 9-Pio Esposito, 18-Ekhator

Coach: Silvio Baldini