Gabbiadini hat-trick maintains Italy perfection

Italy survived an early scare and the dismissal of Fabio Borini in Vaduz before a hat-trick from Manolo Gabbiadini and two from Lorenzo Insigne maintained the Azzurrini's perfect Group 7 record.

It is two away wins from two for Italy and the Atalanta BC forward Gabbiadini took his tally to five goals in qualifying after hitting the net twice in Italy's opening 3-0 victory in Hungary. Fabian Eberle gave Liechtenstein a surprise advantage as the full-back headed the hosts ahead eight minutes in and things got worse for the visitors as Borini was dismissed after 17 minutes. However, Vicenza Calcio's Fausto Rossi struck from 20 metres to equalise before Gabbiadini grabbed two of his three before the break.

Alessandro Florenzi stretched the lead five minutes after the interval and Gabbiadini completed his hat-trick (55) before being replaced on the hour. Liechtenstein forward Niklas Kieber pulled one back but Pescara Calcio midfielder Insigne filled the gap left by Gabbiadini. The 20-year-old fired in twice, his second in the final minute, to seal the victory for Italy and close the gap on group leaders Turkey, who have nine points from their three matches.