The first leg, held in the Italian city of Fasano, ended with a 2:1 victory for the hosts.
In the return match, Paulo Ricardo Kaka’s side defeated their opponent 3:2 thanks to goals from Dauren Tursagulov, Albert Akbalikov and an own goal by Gabriele Motta.
The two-legged tie finished 4:4 on aggregate, sending the teams to a penalty shootout, where Italy prevailed 2:0 to secure a place at Euro 2026.
Kazakhstan – Italy – 3:2, 0:2 pen. (1:1)
Goals: Tursagulov 3 (1:0), Barichello 8 (1:1), Akbalikov 17 (2:1), Turmena 32 (2:2), Motta 35 og (3:2)
Penalty shootout: Akbalikov (saved), Turmena (0:1), Knaub (saved), Venancio (crossbar), Douglas (saved), Motta (0:2), Edson (missed)
Yellow cards: Edson 7, Douglas 17, Akbalikov 27, Abdumanapuly 32 – Venancio 7, Pulvirenti 27, Rozzetti 38, De Oliveira 45
Kazakhstan: Higuita (C), Utepbergenov – Edson, Yessenamanov, Tursagulov, Abdumanapuly, Knaub, Kairbay, Daribay, Leo, Akbalikov, Douglas, Orazov, Turegazhin
Head coach: Paulo Ricardo Kaka
Italy: Bellobuono, Dalcin – Rozzetti, Venancio, Liberti, Alex Merlim, Pulvirenti, C. Muzumeci (C), De Oliveira, Motta, Gaio, Fortini, Turmena, Barichello
Head coach: Salvatore Samperi
Referees: Martínez Flores, Delgado Sastre (both – Spain)
23 September 2025. Astana, Zhekpe-Zhek Arena.
