Italy Under-21s and Portugal Under-21s have played out a goalless draw in their Group B clash at the European Championships.
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The Azzurri threatened in the first minute as Marco Benassi drove forward from midfield and fired a low effort towards the net, but Jose Sa was there to make the save.
Italy kept up the pressure in the early stages when Domenico Berardi threaded a through ball into the path of Andre Belotti, but the forward's low strike was well saved by Sa.
Benassi almost found the breakthrough for his side in the 27th minute as he raided forward to the edge of the box and drilled his strike towards the bottom corner, but Sa made another impressive stop to keep the strike out.
Portugal had the best opening of the opening period when Bernardo Silva weaved his way to the byline and cut the ball back for Joao Mario, but he sliced his effort wide of the post from close range.
In the second half, Italy came inches away from taking the lead when Belotti met a cross from the left wing and headed at goal, only to see his effort clatter off the crossbar and bounce clear.
The Azzurri kept the pressure on Portugal and they came close minutes later as Berardi fired a low ball across the face of goal towards Benassi, but the midfielder just couldn't make contact, which would have led to a certain goal.
Belotti should have put Italy ahead in the 71st minute after he could only guide his effort from close range past the post when latching on to a pinpoint cross from Davide Zappacosta from the right wing.
Portugal pressed late in the game and William Carvalho almost handed them the lead as he tried to poke home from close range, but Daniele Rugani was on hand to make a vital block.
Rui Jorge's men almost broke the deadlock when a loose ball fell to Iuri Meideros at the back post and he drilled a volley low towards the bottom corner, but his shot was well saved by Francesco Bardi.
Cristiano Biraghi could have won the game for the Azzurri in the dying seconds when he was played through down the left, but his touch was heavy and it allowed Sa to smother the ball at his feet.
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Spain U21s
