Italy at the double against Ukraine

March 30, 2011 | 08:37

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Italy, reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes, secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine in an international friendly on Tuesday.

source: AFP

Goals from Giuseppe Rossi and debutant Alessandro Matri sealed the victory after Davide Astori was sent off following a second booking.

Rossi put the Italians ahead in the 27th minute when he converted a deflected Alberto Aquilani shot from close range.

Juventus striker Matri got on the score-sheet on his international debut with nine minutes remaining thanks to a wonderful backheel by Parma playmaker Sebastian Giovinco.

Italy have now gone eight games without a loss, notching up five wins and three draws since losing to Ivory Coast in coach Cesare Prandelli's first game in charge.

They beat Slovenia on Saturday to take control of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C and went one step further to erasing the memories of their disastrous World Cup campaign in 2010, when they crashed out in the first round.

AFP

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