Wales' youngsters suffered a crushing 8-1 defeat at the hands of a formidable Italian Under-21 side.
The Wales defence managed to hold the Azzurri's forceful attack for 17 minutes before the goals started pouring in.
Four goals by Parma forward Alberto Gilardino, two by Chievo forward Giuseppe Sculli, one goal, by captain Matteo Brighi and a late strike by AC Milan striker Marco Borriello sealed a crucial win for Italy.
Wales were out-classed by a better side and could only take consolation from a goal by Crewe midfielder David Vaughan.
It was Wales who had the first chance of the game within the first three minutes when a pass from Yeovil Town forward Kevin Gall found Coventry midfielder David Pipe a few yards from the area who shook off his marker but not Lecce goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
Cardiff City defender James Collins' tackle on Sculli inside the area was crucial in the 12th minute as the Chievo player was ready to test Gillingham goalkeeper James Brown.
Finally Italy went ahead in the 17th minute as Roma forward Gaetano D'Agostino found Gilardino unmarked inside the area and his header beat Brown on the right side.
Three minutes later the Azzurri increased their lead with D'Agostino once again providing the crucial pass to Brighi whose first attempt was saved by Brown but netted the rebound.
Wales reduced the deficit in the 27th minute following a free-kick taken from the right by Vaughan. His cross was not cleared by the Italian defence and it surprised Amelia as the ball went in on the far post.
But eight minutes later Udinese midfielder Giampiero Pinzi's cross towards the area was beautifully replied by a half-volley from Chievo forward Giuseppe Sculli, whose shot beat Brown to make it 3-1.
The Azzurri re-started with the same force they had finished the first half and in the 49th minute Pinzi found Gilardino unmarked on the right who surged forward before beating Brown with a powerful shot.
Wales kept struggling as the Azzurri got stronger and Sculli scored his second goal after beating Brown following a pass from Pinzi.
Wales could only hope Italy's attack would slow down but four minutes later Pizzi's cross from the left found an unmarked Gilardino inside the area and he headed the ball past Brown.
Gilardino scored his fourth of the night in the 86th minute but Wales could have reduced the deficit when Pipe's shot hit the post from 20 yards.
But Italy had time to net another one when Borriello beat Brown in the third minute of stoppage-time to finish the game.
The Wales defence managed to hold the Azzurri's forceful attack for 17 minutes before the goals started pouring in.
Four goals by Parma forward Alberto Gilardino, two by Chievo forward Giuseppe Sculli, one goal, by captain Matteo Brighi and a late strike by AC Milan striker Marco Borriello sealed a crucial win for Italy.
Wales were out-classed by a better side and could only take consolation from a goal by Crewe midfielder David Vaughan.
It was Wales who had the first chance of the game within the first three minutes when a pass from Yeovil Town forward Kevin Gall found Coventry midfielder David Pipe a few yards from the area who shook off his marker but not Lecce goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
Cardiff City defender James Collins' tackle on Sculli inside the area was crucial in the 12th minute as the Chievo player was ready to test Gillingham goalkeeper James Brown.
Finally Italy went ahead in the 17th minute as Roma forward Gaetano D'Agostino found Gilardino unmarked inside the area and his header beat Brown on the right side.
Three minutes later the Azzurri increased their lead with D'Agostino once again providing the crucial pass to Brighi whose first attempt was saved by Brown but netted the rebound.
Wales reduced the deficit in the 27th minute following a free-kick taken from the right by Vaughan. His cross was not cleared by the Italian defence and it surprised Amelia as the ball went in on the far post.
But eight minutes later Udinese midfielder Giampiero Pinzi's cross towards the area was beautifully replied by a half-volley from Chievo forward Giuseppe Sculli, whose shot beat Brown to make it 3-1.
The Azzurri re-started with the same force they had finished the first half and in the 49th minute Pinzi found Gilardino unmarked on the right who surged forward before beating Brown with a powerful shot.
Wales kept struggling as the Azzurri got stronger and Sculli scored his second goal after beating Brown following a pass from Pinzi.
Wales could only hope Italy's attack would slow down but four minutes later Pizzi's cross from the left found an unmarked Gilardino inside the area and he headed the ball past Brown.
Gilardino scored his fourth of the night in the 86th minute but Wales could have reduced the deficit when Pipe's shot hit the post from 20 yards.
But Italy had time to net another one when Borriello beat Brown in the third minute of stoppage-time to finish the game.