Aaron Ramsey scored a stunning winner and orchestrated yet another remarkable Wales Under-21s performance against Italy.

Wales are top of UEFA Championship qualifying group three - having added Friday night's success at Swansea's Liberty Stadium to a victory over France and notable draw against England in their previous campaign to reach the finals of a major competition

Ramsey fired over the corner to set up Wales' first goal and then struck a brilliant winner with 22 minutes left.

Italy equalised before the break through Alberto Paloschi, but players from Juventus and Inter Milan found themselves second best to opponents making their living at Walsall and non-league Wrexham.

Wales were sharp and inventive from the start. They could have had three goals in the opening minutes, but had to settle for one.

Inside five minutes, Andrea Ranocchia almost scored an own goal under pressure from Simon Church - stabbing the ball inches wide of a post.

But Wales were in the lead after nine minutes.

Ramsey's corner fizzed through the six-yard box for defender Christian Ribeiro to sidefoot home on the far post.

Church should have doubled the advantage seven minutes later when he collected a shocking kick out by Italy goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo, straight to him on the edge of the box.

But with an open goal in front of him, Church's shot rolled agonisingly wide of the net.

Italy were level after 23 minutes.

Mario Balotelli's free-kick, following a booking for Mark Bradley, was only partially cleared out to the right by the Wales defence. When Antonino Barilla's cross came back into the box, Parma youngster Alberto Paloschi's header crashed into the corner of the net.

Balotelli's pace was a constant threat.

But Italy's equaliser seemed to motivate Wales again - and they had another great chance three minutes from the break.

Neal Eardley's deep cross from the right was reached first by Sam Vokes on the edge of the box, ahead of Fiorillo, and a towering header dropped just wide of a post.

Paloschi was booked a minute from the break for a wild tackle through the back of Ramsey.

After the break, Italy increased their tempo and movement - and Wales were stretched. Chris Maxwell saved well from Batilla and Balotelli as the pressure mounted.

Wales then replaced Church with Ched Evans, who should have scored when he headed a Neil Taylor cross inches wide.

Cardiff's Aaron Morris replaced Darcy Blake, Wales again rising to the challenge of a technically gifted Italian side.

But Wales have a special talent of their own in Ramsey, and after 68 minutes he produced a stunning goal. Evans gave him the ball 20 yards out, but the Arsenal youngster still had plenty to do.

His response was a feint, a clever juggling act and a fierce drive past Fiorillo that brought a 5,366 crowd to their feet.

Italy then threw on Manchester United youngster Federico Macheda with 15 minutes left.

But it was Wales who were going forward, and Vokes saw a fine header from Ramsey's corner hit the bar.