Italy 2 - 0 Georgia

De Rossi fires Italy past Georgia

As Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi proved the match winner with a brace as Italy at times laboured to a 2-0 victory over Georgia on Wednesday. The victory ensured the Italians went top of World Cup qualifying Group Eight following a scoreless draw between Montenegro and Ireland.

Italy began by playing some free-flowing football but gradually lost their way against spirited and determined opponents. De Rossi won the match for the reigning World Cup holders with a thunder bolt from 30 yards in the first half and then he latched onto a clever pass from substitute Alessandro Del Piero a minute from time to secure the three points.

On the quarter hour the world champions really sprung into life as Bayern Munich forward Luca Toni released Antonio Di Natale with a pinpoint turn and pass. Playing in front of his home fans in Udine, Di Natale, the hero against Cyprus on Saturday, would have been a popular scorer but he clipped his shot just wide of the upright under pressure from Loria and a defender.

Italy were on top and Argentina-born midfielder Mauro Camoranesi almost bundled his way through moments later. But on 17 minutes the hosts were deservedly in front through a rocket from De Rossi, who turned his man in midfield with a clever drag back and then advanced forward looking for a pass before changing his mind and thrashing a swerving shot home from fully 30 yards.

Italy continued to boss proceedings after the break without creating many clear-cut chances. Lippi tried to inject some urgency into the game by introducing Juventus strike pair Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta with the latter firing into the side-netting 13 minutes from time. Now, 5 Juventus player played on the field. A few minutes after that Iaquinta forced a save out of Loria following good work from Camoranesi, Del Piero and another substitute Angelo Palombo before De Rossi applied the final touch a minute from time.

The 2nd goal from De Rossi was assisted by Del Piero....an easy goal though.

Teams:-

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Dossena; Pirlo (Palombo 45), De Rossi, Aquilani; Camoranesi, Di Natale (Del Piero 56), Toni (Iaquinta 70)

Georgia: Loria; Lobjanidze, Salukbadze, Kaladze, Eliava (Kvaskvhvadze 45); Kenia, Kobiashvili, Menteshashvili (Odkadze 69), Khmaladze; Iashvili, Mchelidze (Siradze 56)