The Italians have done it. Finally, they can breathe a collective sigh of relief, after defeating Wales 22-21 in miraculous circumstances in their Six Nations clash earlier today.
Down 21-15, a break out of nothing from the ever popular and incredible Ange Capuozzo, set up a try in the second last play of the game for Edoardo Padovani. Paolo Garbisi added the easy conversion before collapsing to the ground in a heap of joyful and relieved tears.
INCREDIBLE!!
Italy score a sensational try in the final moments to secure their first win since 2015 🙌#GuinnessSixNations #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/lQizHDAypQ— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
May you have one moment in your life like this. #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/YkCfp0PiP0
— Shane Hegarty (@shanehegarty) March 19, 2022
The win, away from home, is their first since Six Nations win since beating Scotland in 2015, and their first victory against a tier 1 nation since defeating South Africa in 2016.
Italy lead for the majority of the match with outhalf Garbisi and Padovani kicking two penalties each, putting Italy ahead 12-7 at halftime, with Owen Watkin touching down in the 27th minute for Wales.
Wales were clumsy and inaccurate with their finishing in the first 40, as Louis Rees Zammit was found guilty on a couple of occasions of squandering gilt-edged opportunities.
Italy’s Monty Ioane was at the centre of a lot of Italy’s best plays, but will be disappointed that he wasn’t able to finish off one of his many linebreaks.
In the second half he managed to regather a superb kick chip to himself, but tried to outpace Josh Adams when he instead should have passed to Giovanni Pettinelli for an almost certain try.
It was a potentially game winning moment from Adams as he bundled Ioane into touch, as it would have put Italy up 19-7. Wales managed to clear their lines and worked their way to the Italian line before Dewi Lake crashed over for a try. Dan Biggar added the extras and the score was 14-12 with 30 minutes to play.
One of the most spectacular moments of the game came soon after when Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane managed to play the ball out from behind their own goal line which lead to a penalty for the Italians in the Welsh 22.
This is class from Italy. Great breakout from Capuozzo and Ioane, Lamaro kicks on and loosehead prop Danilo Fischetti forces the penalty to give Italy the lead!#WALvITA pic.twitter.com/MoOHQqLTt6
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) March 19, 2022
Garbisi knocked over the points over and Italy regained the lead.
However, the Italians were visibly tiring and were unable to hold on as Wales scored through Josh Adams and giving them a lead that seemed unassailable for a visibly exhausted Italy side. Something special was needed and that is exactly what came to pass.
Capuozzo produced one of the all-time Six Nations moments, breaking gracefully from deep inside his own half before cleverly passing to Padovani to allow the winger to score under the posts.
See Also: How To Watch Ireland U20s Vs Scotland In Grand Slam Decider
