WCQ: Italy vs. Scotland, Belarus (1 Viewer)
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Belarus 1 - 4 Italy
Kutuzov 4 (B), Toni 5, 13, 54 (I), Camoranesi 45 (I)
Luca Toni was the hat-trick hero in Minsk as Italy run out with a 4-1 win and extend their lead at the top of Group 5. With a five-point gap opening up from second-placed Norway and two games left, the Azzurri are almost certain of winning this qualifying group.
Following the 1-1 draw in Scotland and Norway's victory, Italy's lead at the top of Group Five was cut to just two points, making a win in Belarus essential. The Azzurri had to do without the suspended Gianluca Zambrotta and Daniele De Rossi, while Alessandro Del Piero was injured.
Alberto Gilardino was surprisingly dropped from the Hampden Park game as a tactical choice, but started in Minsk alongside Luca Toni with support from Francesco Totti. Fabio Grosso, who scored the decisive goal on Saturday, replaced Zambrotta at left-back. The most notable Belarus players were Sampdoria striker Vitalii Kutuzov and Arsenal's new buy Alexander Hleb.
However, it was a disastrous start for Italy, as Kutuzov sprung the offside trap and placed an angled drive past Angelo Peruzzi within the first three minutes of play. Kovba's pass found the Azzurri defence utterly static and nobody tried to close down the Sampdoria man.
Unlike the Scotland game, Lippi's men fought back immediately with Toni, who chested down Mauro German Camoranesi's chipped assist and spun round to fire in the equaliser at the near post.
It was a fiery encounter from the very beginning and moments later Totti drilled just wide of the post and at the 10th brought a tough save out of goalkeeper Zhevnov with a fierce free kick.
Toni is on fine form for Fiorentina and he proved it with his second goal of the game. Totti sparked the move and Toni's glancing header on a Grosso cross left the goalkeeper standing.
Totti unleashed another powerful set-piece that Zhevnov punched away at full stretch, as Italy were now dominating after their initial uncertainty.
There was still danger, as Hleb sprinted down the left flank and his cross caused panic in the Azzurri area.
Gilardino nodded Andrea Pirlo's corner kick wide and an impressive Totti dribbled past several players in the centre before finally being crowded out eight yards from the goal.
A Belkevich header whistled wide as Arsenal man Hleb continued to dictate the play for Belarus with his changes of pace and a powerful but central effort. Camoranesi held off a challenge and placed his chip inches wide of the far post.
The Argentine-born midfielder had been threatening and gave Italy a two-goal cushion going into the half-time break. He ran on to Totti's delicate through ball and thumped a low angled drive into the far corner of the net for his first Azzurri strike.
The second half began with another danger moment, as Bulyga burst through the centre following slips from Cristian Zaccardo and Alessandro Nesta and saw his shot deflected wide by Fabio Cannavaro's last ditch tackle.
Italy were under pressure, but struck with a classic counter-attack to take their lead to 4-1. Totti started the move and Gilardino's effort was only parried into the path of Toni's diving header for the Fiorentina star's hat-trick.
Simone Barone replaced Gilardino, switching Lippi's outfit to a 4-4-2 with Francesco Totti further up the field.Peruzzi was tested on 63 minutes, getting down well to palm away Hleb's piledriver.
Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli replaced Camoranesi for the final stages, pushing Grosso into a midfield position. It could've been 5-1 in the last couple of minutes, but Iaquinta just failed to get on the end of Pirlo's low cross.
The Azzurri were also helped by Scotland, who sensationally beat Norway in Oslo, allowing the Italians to take a five-point lead at the top of Group 5.
Belarus: Zhevnov; Omelianchuk, Yaskovich (Tarlovsky 34), Shtanuk, Kovba; Lavrik; Kulchy (Korytko 79), Belkevich, A Hleb, Bulyga; Kutuzov (V Hleb 75)
Italy: Peruzzi; Zaccardo, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi (Barzagli 84), Pirlo, Gattuso; Totti; Gilardino (Barone 56), Toni (Iaquinta 66)
Ref: Temmink (Hol)
Football Italia
Kutuzov 4 (B), Toni 5, 13, 54 (I), Camoranesi 45 (I)
Luca Toni was the hat-trick hero in Minsk as Italy run out with a 4-1 win and extend their lead at the top of Group 5. With a five-point gap opening up from second-placed Norway and two games left, the Azzurri are almost certain of winning this qualifying group.
Following the 1-1 draw in Scotland and Norway's victory, Italy's lead at the top of Group Five was cut to just two points, making a win in Belarus essential. The Azzurri had to do without the suspended Gianluca Zambrotta and Daniele De Rossi, while Alessandro Del Piero was injured.
Alberto Gilardino was surprisingly dropped from the Hampden Park game as a tactical choice, but started in Minsk alongside Luca Toni with support from Francesco Totti. Fabio Grosso, who scored the decisive goal on Saturday, replaced Zambrotta at left-back. The most notable Belarus players were Sampdoria striker Vitalii Kutuzov and Arsenal's new buy Alexander Hleb.
However, it was a disastrous start for Italy, as Kutuzov sprung the offside trap and placed an angled drive past Angelo Peruzzi within the first three minutes of play. Kovba's pass found the Azzurri defence utterly static and nobody tried to close down the Sampdoria man.
Unlike the Scotland game, Lippi's men fought back immediately with Toni, who chested down Mauro German Camoranesi's chipped assist and spun round to fire in the equaliser at the near post.
It was a fiery encounter from the very beginning and moments later Totti drilled just wide of the post and at the 10th brought a tough save out of goalkeeper Zhevnov with a fierce free kick.
Toni is on fine form for Fiorentina and he proved it with his second goal of the game. Totti sparked the move and Toni's glancing header on a Grosso cross left the goalkeeper standing.
Totti unleashed another powerful set-piece that Zhevnov punched away at full stretch, as Italy were now dominating after their initial uncertainty.
There was still danger, as Hleb sprinted down the left flank and his cross caused panic in the Azzurri area.
Gilardino nodded Andrea Pirlo's corner kick wide and an impressive Totti dribbled past several players in the centre before finally being crowded out eight yards from the goal.
A Belkevich header whistled wide as Arsenal man Hleb continued to dictate the play for Belarus with his changes of pace and a powerful but central effort. Camoranesi held off a challenge and placed his chip inches wide of the far post.
The Argentine-born midfielder had been threatening and gave Italy a two-goal cushion going into the half-time break. He ran on to Totti's delicate through ball and thumped a low angled drive into the far corner of the net for his first Azzurri strike.
The second half began with another danger moment, as Bulyga burst through the centre following slips from Cristian Zaccardo and Alessandro Nesta and saw his shot deflected wide by Fabio Cannavaro's last ditch tackle.
Italy were under pressure, but struck with a classic counter-attack to take their lead to 4-1. Totti started the move and Gilardino's effort was only parried into the path of Toni's diving header for the Fiorentina star's hat-trick.
Simone Barone replaced Gilardino, switching Lippi's outfit to a 4-4-2 with Francesco Totti further up the field.Peruzzi was tested on 63 minutes, getting down well to palm away Hleb's piledriver.
Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli replaced Camoranesi for the final stages, pushing Grosso into a midfield position. It could've been 5-1 in the last couple of minutes, but Iaquinta just failed to get on the end of Pirlo's low cross.
The Azzurri were also helped by Scotland, who sensationally beat Norway in Oslo, allowing the Italians to take a five-point lead at the top of Group 5.
Belarus: Zhevnov; Omelianchuk, Yaskovich (Tarlovsky 34), Shtanuk, Kovba; Lavrik; Kulchy (Korytko 79), Belkevich, A Hleb, Bulyga; Kutuzov (V Hleb 75)
Italy: Peruzzi; Zaccardo, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi (Barzagli 84), Pirlo, Gattuso; Totti; Gilardino (Barone 56), Toni (Iaquinta 66)
Ref: Temmink (Hol)
Football Italia
Three valuable points for Marcello Lippi's men whose first half performance was enough to beat the Belarussians. Italy were less motivated and not quite as sharp in the second period but it didn't really matter this time round.
Belarus got off to a dream start as Kutuzov gave them a fourth minute lead with a well taken finish but the Italians' marking and organisation left something to be desired on that occasion. Italy responded superbly though with Toni converting a Camoranesi assist. Italy looked good in attack and their narrow midfield passing game kept Belarus on the back foot. It was no surprise when the Azzurri took their foot off the pedal in the second half after going into the break 3-1 up.
Peruzzi - Wasn't tested all that often and could do nothing about the goal. Made a good save on Hleb in the second half.
Zaccardo - Didn't have a lot to do in the first half when Italy were in charge of the game but in the second period when Belarus had more possession he looked vulnerable at times. Not a bad outing but not a completely solid one either.
Nesta - Dealt with what came his way for the most part but he's had better games.
Cannavaro - Pretty solid.
Grosso - Very good game for the Palermo full back. He was very much involved in the attack and produced a perfect cross for Luca Toni's second goal. Perhaps Lippi should consider playing Zambrotta at RB so that Grosso can start because he's certainly a better player than Zaccardo and Bonera.
Pirlo - Played his part as always. Linked up well with Totti and knocked the ball around the pitch with ease. Andrea is a key figure in this Azzurri lineup.
Gattuso - Did reasonably well. With Camoranesi, Totti and even Pirlo and Grosso getting forward a lot his defensive presence was needed. Provided a bit of balance in midfield.
Camoranesi - Lovely goal, good assist for Toni, good passing, good overall performance. I hope he can keep his excellent form up.
Totti - Toni was the hat-trick hero but Totti was my man of the match. A constant threat throughout, he tested the Belarus GK numerous times, took on players with success, and was involved in three of the four goals for Italy.
Gilardino - Disappointing for me. He looked like a poor man's Trezeguet out there today as he failed to get involved in the build up play but unlike Trez also failed to score.
Toni - Took all three of his goals well and had a few nice touches and lay-offs as well. IMO he should be a regular starter for Italy.
Belarus got off to a dream start as Kutuzov gave them a fourth minute lead with a well taken finish but the Italians' marking and organisation left something to be desired on that occasion. Italy responded superbly though with Toni converting a Camoranesi assist. Italy looked good in attack and their narrow midfield passing game kept Belarus on the back foot. It was no surprise when the Azzurri took their foot off the pedal in the second half after going into the break 3-1 up.
Peruzzi - Wasn't tested all that often and could do nothing about the goal. Made a good save on Hleb in the second half.
Zaccardo - Didn't have a lot to do in the first half when Italy were in charge of the game but in the second period when Belarus had more possession he looked vulnerable at times. Not a bad outing but not a completely solid one either.
Nesta - Dealt with what came his way for the most part but he's had better games.
Cannavaro - Pretty solid.
Grosso - Very good game for the Palermo full back. He was very much involved in the attack and produced a perfect cross for Luca Toni's second goal. Perhaps Lippi should consider playing Zambrotta at RB so that Grosso can start because he's certainly a better player than Zaccardo and Bonera.
Pirlo - Played his part as always. Linked up well with Totti and knocked the ball around the pitch with ease. Andrea is a key figure in this Azzurri lineup.
Gattuso - Did reasonably well. With Camoranesi, Totti and even Pirlo and Grosso getting forward a lot his defensive presence was needed. Provided a bit of balance in midfield.
Camoranesi - Lovely goal, good assist for Toni, good passing, good overall performance. I hope he can keep his excellent form up.
Totti - Toni was the hat-trick hero but Totti was my man of the match. A constant threat throughout, he tested the Belarus GK numerous times, took on players with success, and was involved in three of the four goals for Italy.
Gilardino - Disappointing for me. He looked like a poor man's Trezeguet out there today as he failed to get involved in the build up play but unlike Trez also failed to score.
Toni - Took all three of his goals well and had a few nice touches and lay-offs as well. IMO he should be a regular starter for Italy.
