Last‑minute heroics hand Udinese the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup

Friendly Udinese secured the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup with a last‑minute 1‑0 win over Barcelona, confirming their dominance in the three‑team mini‑tournament hosted in Udine, Italy. The triumph followed earlier 1‑0 victories against Nottingham Forest and Barcelona, each 45‑minute match awarding points for a win.

The Friulani organised the competition at the Bluenergy Stadium, scheduling three 45‑minute matches with points awarded for each victory. Udinese, Barcelona and Nottingham Forest each faced the others once, turning the event into a compact cup showdown.

Udinese opened the night by edging Nottingham Forest 1‑0, thanks to a thumping Oumar Solet header from a Nicolò Zaniolo corner. Eric Moreira’s attempt was denied when Daniele Padelli made a crucial save, preserving the clean sheet.

Barcelona then turned the tables, beating the Premier League side 1‑0 through a late penalty converted by Raphinha after a Milenkovic handling offence. A minute’s silence preceded the match in memory of Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, who died today after a long illness.

In the final showdown, Udinese secured the trophy with a last‑minute 1‑0 win over Barcelona, as Vakoun Bayo delicately finished past former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The wins earned Udinese the trophy on home soil.

Nicolò Zaniolo was named player of the tournament as Udinese lifted the cup on home turf. The decisive match took place at the Bluenergy Stadium in UDINE on August 08, 2026, with the city of Udine buzzing with excitement.

The victory added another accolade to Udinese’s season in Italy. Points were awarded for each victory, making every goal crucial.