UDINE (REUTERS) - Midfielder Nicolo Barella and forward Moise Kean scored their first international goals to give Italy a 2-0 win over Finland in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Saturday (March 23).
Barella, 22, gave Italy the perfect start by scoring with a deflected shot after seven minutes and Kean, the first player born after 2000 to play for Italy, added the second in the 74th minute.
Italy's first home win since they beat Israel in a World Cup qualifier in September, 2017 gave them an ideal start as they attempt to put their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup behind them.
Finland clearly set out to frustrate Italy but that plan had to be scrapped when a clearance went straight to Barella who met it first time from the edge of the area and a deflection wrong-footed goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
The visitors came into the game but made little headway and Italy's Federico Bernardeschi had a penalty appeal waved away before halftime.
Italy survived a major fright in the 65th minute as Robin Lod burst down the right in acres of space and slipped the ball to Teemu Pukki who turned his shot wide from six metres.
Having got into plenty of good positions only to be let down by their final pass, Italy finally got it right when Ciro Immobile slipped the ball through to Kean and the 19-year-old fired a confident finish past Hradecky.
Â
Serie A's leading scorer Fabio Quagliarella was brought on and the 36-year-old fired a right foot shot against the crossbar.
Son Heung-min was just the player South Korea needed to really get its Asian Cup campaign going. In his first game since arriving from Tottenham, Son earned a penalty and then assisted on his team's second goal to help South Korea beat China 2-0 in Group C on Wednesday. Advertising With both
LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp concedes he faces a selection dilemma as centre back Dejan Lovren is unlikely to feature against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's (Feb 19
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp
When Everything Seems To Be Going Wrong Imagine you've already achieved a desired goal If you do this despite whatever fears the prospect of doing so brings, eventually others will be
11 Quotes to Remember When Everything Is Going Wrong
This season, Lionel Messi seems to be on a mission to right all the wrongs from last season and silence his detractors and if he is to up the ante from his performance this year, it is hard to see
Man on a mission: Lionel Messi's genius reaches new levels at
Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 12, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during the press conference Action Images via Reut
Premier League news: Barcelona defeat won't affect Liverpool
(Reuters) - Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is eligible to play in Thursday's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash against Rennes after his three-match ban was reduced to two games, UEFA said on
Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA cuts ban - eurosport.com
Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals, Liverpool.DON'T MISS: Download & Install All Naija Entertainment App Into Your Android Walker posted a picture of Harry Maguire on Twitter after the Leicester defender's equaliser […]
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning move to Italian champions Juventus when his contract expires with the Gunners in the summer, according to reports on Thursday. The Welsh international will bring to an end 10 years at Arsenal at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down with the Premier League
Juventus Football Club : Arsenal star set to cash in with
Report Ad
Get A Free Quote Or Call & Learn About Our Reliable Movers Today!
It is safe to say that even statistics will fail to measure the impact Leo Messi has on the pitch. He is a constant threat, who can do things which is impossible even in video games.
El Clasico 1-On-1: Lionel Messi Vs Cristiano Ronaldo | Goal.com
Josh Brownhill is hoping his elder brother Lewis will be a big cheese in Cheshire on Saturday - and help spur him to Wembley. For their mum and dad there is the enticing prospect of two of their
Why Tottenham Hotspur fans have always hated Wembley
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen