U21 EURO: Italy crush San Marino 7-0 with Esposito grabbing 4 | OneFootball

Francesco Pio Esposito scored four goals as Italy crushed San Marino 7-0 in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier, but Tommaso Baldanzi sustained an injury.

It was a rough start to the match, as Empoli midfielder Jacopo Fazzini and Roma talent Baldanzi both limped off before half-time.

Edoardo Bove celebrated his deadline day move to Fiorentina with the opening goal, blasting into the roof of the net from distance.

Giacomo Matteoni got the final touch to deflect in the second, then Esposito ran wild after the break with four individual goals.

Antonio Raimondo also got in on the act from Matteo Ruggeri’s assist and Bove rattled the crossbar.

Esposito turned 19 in June and is one of three brothers who play professional football. He is a product of the Inter youth academy, currently on loan at Spezia in Serie B.

The Azzurrini are top of their group now on 15 points, having won four and drawn three, but are level with Norway.

The Republic of Ireland are also a threat, as they have a game in hand and 13 points.

Norway-Italy is on September 10 and Italy-Republic of Ireland on October 15.

Italy 7-0 San Marino

Bove 35, Matteoni og 38, P Esposito 58, 76, 78, 91, Raimondo 81

Italy U21: Desplanches (Zacchi 79); Savona, Coppola, Ghilardi, Ruggeri; Bove (Pisilli 79), Bianco, Fazzini (Ndour 14); Baldanzi (Raimondo 26); P Esposito, Gnonto (Ambrosino 46)