| Italy: (16) 31 |
| Attempt: Brex, Raina, Bernie pen: Garbisi 3, Paige Lillo Cons: Garbishi 2 |
| Scotland: (22) 29 |
| Attempt: Z. Fagerson, Stein, Schoeman, Skinner pen: russell Cons: russell 3 |
A second-half defeat against Roma ended Scotland's hopes of winning the title, but Italy withstood intense pressure in the closing stages to secure their first home victory in the Six Nations since 2013.
Since their last win over Ireland, the Azzurri have lost 26 home games in the Six Nations and have lost 13 games in a row against Scotland.
However, Gonzalo Quesada's side came heartbreakingly close to victory against France last time out and used that as inspiration to hand Scotland their second defeat in the Championship this season.
History looked set to repeat itself after fly-half Paulo Garbisi missed an easy conversion with a thrilling finish, his last kick against Lille hitting the post, but this time it was Italy. You will get the victory.
Garbisi's goal gave the hosts the lead almost instantly, but Scotland hit back with tries from Xander Fagerson and Kyle Steyn, before Ignacio Brex scored for Italy. Everything started within 15 minutes.
Pierre Schoeman hit back for Scotland before the break, but Louis Riner made his Italy debut with a try, and Stephen Varney quickly added another point with a cross.
And although Garbisi missed that conversion, Sam Skinner scored late on and despite a multi-stage attempt to find a late winner late in stoppage time, the success of his next penalty sealed the match. Beyond Scotland.
Andy Christie was given his first Test start and the young flanker entered the match immediately, but conceded a penalty for collecting Italy's kick-off and not releasing it immediately.
In a reenactment of the game against Lille, the ball fell off the tee the moment Garbisi scored the penalty, but unlike the game against France, where it hit the post as the time limit approached, the moment he kicked his teammate, the look on his face was a look of relief. He smiled. Instant lead.
Scotland might have been scared, but they quickly went through 17 phases from the restart until Fagerson narrowly crossed the line from under the ruck.
Captain Finn Russell continued his 100% Six Nations record from the tee to propel Scotland forward, adding another conversion soon after and succeeding all over the field until Steyn thwarted two cross challenges. .
Just when Scotland looked like they were going to run away and fly away, Italy added their own when Martin Page-Lillo's wonderful little chip bounced perfectly into Brex's arm, and Brex's cross to Garbisi's reply ricocheted off the post. He showed the ability to bounce back.
The first 15 minutes were breathtaking. Given the chance under the posts, Russell decided to accept the three points.
However, Scotland's next try did not take long, with Schoeman falling behind a rolling maul.
It was Russell's turn to grin as the fly-half missed his first kick of the championship, but Italy were back within six points when Garbisi and Paige Lello produced some precision from long range.
Duane van der Merwe, just shy of Stuart Hogg's Scottish try record, brilliantly sent Ange Capozzo over the try line.
George Horn's touchdown just after the break looked like a decisive moment, but Schoeman was penalized in the build-up and Italy narrowed the lead even further when Reiner dove under the post.
It seemed certain that Italy would take the lead, but Garbisi managed to score.
However, the momentum was on the hosts' side and as Italy surrounded Varny ran through the gaps and this time Garbisi made no mistake.
There was still time for Skinner to score under the post, but in the end, the clock did not reach Gregor Townsend's Scottish side, who made up for a poor final quarter with another defeat to Italy for the first time in eight years. paid.
lineup
Italy: Capozzo, Riner, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane, P. Garbisi, Paige Lillo, Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N. Cannone, Luzza, Negri, Ramaro, Vincent.
Replacement: Lucchesi, Spagnuolo, Girocchi, Zambonin, L. Cannone, Varney, Marin, Mori.
Scotland: Kinghorn, Stein, Jones, Redpath, Van der Merwe, Russell, Horne, Schoeman, Turner, Z. Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Durge, Dempsey.
Replacement: Ashman, Hepburn, Miller Mills, Skinner, Ritchie, M. Fagerson, Price, Rowe.
match official
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
