Inzaghi double just enough for Italy
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Article summary
Faroe Islands 1-2 Italy
The home side provided the world champions with a nasty fright in Torshavn after Filippo Inzaghi's double.
Article body
Two Filippo Inzaghi goals earned Italy victory in Torshavn although the Faroe Islands' Rógvi Jacobsen had the honour of scoring to unsettle the world champions, who nevertheless moved second in Group B with this win.
Persistent rain
Undeterred by persistent rain, Italy were ahead after just 12 minutes through Inzaghi. Playing in his first international game since October, the striker controlled Andrea Pirlo's long ball from the left with his right foot under pressure from Jón Rói Jacobsen before sweeping it past goalkeeper Jákup Mikkelsen with his left. Tommaso Rocchi almost doubled the Italian advantage two minutes later but his shot was deflected over the crossbar. Jógvan Martin Olsen's side regained their composure but did little to trouble visiting goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while at the other end Inzaghi sent a diving header just wide before the interval.
Missed chance
Inzaghi doubled his tally for the evening four minutes after the break, meeting Aimo Diana's cross from the right touchline with a far-post header which gave Mikkelsen no chance. The goalkeeper earned considerable credit four minutes later, however, pushing a dangerous Pirlo free-kick on to the post. Cristiano Lucarelli, who had replaced Inzaghi, then missed a great chance to make it 3-0 as he collected Diana's through-ball but shot wide with only Mikkelsen to beat.
Surprise goal
The home side rallied with Jón Rói Jacobsen heading fractionally over from a Súni Olsen corner before Rógvi Jacobsen went one better, beating Buffon with a low header to his left from a right-wing cross with 13 minutes left. Del Piero should have put the game beyond the home side in the 89th minute, scooping wide from inside the area. Christian Lamhauge Holst then thudded a shot against Buffon as the Faroe Islands threatened an unlikely comeback, although there was still time for Del Piero to fire another effort over. The Faroe Islands are yet to win a point in Group B but will take heart from their performance as they prepare to play Scotland at home on Wednesday, with Italy meeting Lithuania in Kaunas the same day.
