Clean sheet for Vicario on Italy debut

Guglielmo Vicario celebrated his long-awaited debut for the Italy national team on Sunday night with a clean sheet in a 2-0 friendly win over Ecuador in New Jersey, USA.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper started between the sticks as the Azzurri changed all 11 players from their 2-1 victory against Venezuela in Florida on Thursday.

And he was typically dependable whenever called upon, notably saving Gonzalo Plata’s screamer from the edge of the box midway through the second half.

First called up to the senior national team in September, 2022, when he was named on the bench in a 1-0 home win over England, Vic had been an unused substitute on 11 occasions in total before grabbing his chance against Ecuador.

Left-back Destiny Udogie was not involved for Italy on Sunday, though, after completing 90 minutes in the week.

Elsewhere, Jamie Donley captained England Under-19s for the second time in a few days in Morocco, but the match against USA ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Jamie, who hit the woodwork in the first half, played 90 minutes, as did George Abbott, with Alfie Dorrington, Tyrese Hall and Will Lankshear all coming off the bench in the second half.