Gilardino strikes inspire Italy

Spectacular start
Having drawn 2-2 against the African side on Thursday, Claudio Gentile's side made the perfect start in Volos as AS Roma midfield player Daniele De Rossi put the Italians in front with a spectacular scissor-kick in the third minute.

Gilardino strikes
Six minutes later, Gilardino doubled Italy's lead with a fine solo strike to leave Japan on the brink of elimination from Group B. The Asian side hit back in the 21st minute, midfield player Yuki Abe curling in an exquisite free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

Scoring prowess
But Gilardino struck again in the 36th minute, climbing to meet an Emiliano Moretti cross with a looping header that drifted over Japan goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata. It was the Parma striker's third goal of the finals, making him the competition's joint top scorer along with Carlos Tevez of Argentina and Australia's John Aloisi.

Japan eliminated
Japanese striker Daiki Takamatsu pulled another goal back in added time at the end of the match, but it proved too late to prevent his team being knocked out of the competition.

Late turnaround
Elsewhere in the group, Ghana defeated Paraguay 2-1 in Thessaloniki. FC Internazionale defender Carlos Gamarra gave the South American side the lead in the 76th minute, but William Tiero equalised five minutes later and Juventus FC midfield player Stephen Appiah completed the turnaround six minutes from time.

Italy in charge
The results leave Italy top of Group B, ahead of Ghana on goals scored with both sides having amassed four points. The section is concluded on Wednesday, with Italy playing Paraguay in Athens while Japan take on Ghana.

Portugal bounce back
Meanwhile, in Group D, Portugal responded in style to their surprise opening-day defeat by Iraq, getting their campaign back on track with a 2-1 win against Morocco in Heraklio.

Two-goal advantage
Manchester United FC midfield player Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Portugal five minutes before half-time, and FC Porto's Ricardo Costa added a second with 17 minutes left to play. José Pratas Romao's team came through a nervous finale after RC Lens forward Bouabid Bouden pulled a goal back with five minutes to go, but held on.

Iraq progress
In the group's other game, Iraq became the second team to reach the quarter-finals after a comfortable 2-0 victory against Costa Rica. Second-half goals from Hawar Mohammed and substitute Mahdi Karim secured a second victory that guaranteed a top-two finish in Group D.

Portugal into second
Portugal climbed to second in the section following their win and know that victory against Costa Rica - when they will be without Ronaldo and Bruno Alves through suspension after both picked up their second bookings of the competition tonight - in Heraklio will ensure progress to the quarter-final. Iraq finish their Group D campaign against Morocco, also on Wednesday.