MILAN - Inter Under-19s sealed their place in the last 16 of this season's NextGen Series with a game to spare following a resounding 3-1 win over Rosenborg this afternoon.
The visitors took the lead in the 24th minute when Blakstad nodded home from a corner - the goal allowed to stand despite a clear push on Nerazzurri goalkeeper Delle Vedove. However, with 37 minutes on the clock Daniele Bernazzani's boys got themselves back on level terms: Bocar won the ball in the final third and quickly fed Forte, who clipped past the Norwegian custodian. Inter came out after the interval firing on all cylinders and laid siege to Rosenborg's goal, Belloni, Olsen and Duncan all going close before the goal finally came. Belloni's lofted cross-field ball was brought down magnificently by Pedrabissi, his first touch taking him away from his opponent and into the box, where he curled his finish in at the far post. Forte put the game to bed with five minutes of normal time remaining when he headed in Olsen's corner.
Inter now sit on top of Group 5 on goal difference going into their last game against Liverpool and will qualify as group winners if they can avoid losing by three goals in England.
Inter 3-1 Rosenborg (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Blakstad 24, Forte 37, Pedrabissi 70, Forte 85.
Inter (4-2-3-1): 1 Dalle Vedove; 2 Bandini, 4 Zaro, 5 Mbaye, 3 Ferrara; 6 Duncan, 8 Olsen; 7 Belloni, 11 Bocar (Colombi 90), 10 Pedrabissi (Terrani 77); 9 Forte.
Unused subs: 12 Smug, 13 Donkor, 14 Guglielmotti, 15 Tassi, 16 Bangoura.
Coach: Daniele Bernazzani.
Rosenborg (4-3-3): 1 Storevik; 2 Kvande, 3 Bjornstad, 4 Togstad, 5 Lundal (Haarberg 83); 7 Strand, 8 Sakor, 9 Blakstad; 6 Oien, 10 Sorloth (Iqbalzadeh 77) , 11 Bjornholm.
Unused subs: 26 Fjer, 14 Asleth, 15 Feirud, 17 Rygh, 18 Skille.
Coach: Stale Stenssas.
Referee: Francesco Di Stefano (Brindisi).
Booked: Sakor 30, Olsen 90.
Added time: 1 + 4 minutes.
