Group B: Italy 2-0 Georgia (Genoa)
An Andrea Pirlo free kick and Fabio Grosso's late strike gave lacklustre Italy a 2-0 win over Georgia to keep their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign on track.
AC Milan midfielder Pirlo scored just before half-time when his effort from the centre of the pitch wrong-footed visiting 'keeper Georgi Lomaia and flew into the middle of the net.
The World champions wasted several other opportunities in the first half and only made sure of victory against a lively Georgia side when full back Grosso scooped the ball home after Luca Toni's layoff.
Italy remain second in Group B on 23 points, one below leaders Scotland and one above France.
But after Scotland's 3-1 win over Ukraine - who are now out of the running for qualification - and France's 6-0 away demolition of the Faroe Islands earlier, Italy still have work to do with just a trip to Glasgow and a home match with the Faroes to come next month.
But Italy could drop out of the top two on Wednesday when both of their rivals are in action. France only need to pick up a draw at home to Lithuania to go above the Azzurri in the standings. Scotland travel to Georgia in the other game - knowing a win would all but confirm their place in Austria and Switzerland next year.
GROUP B RESULTS:
Faroe Islands 0-6 France
Scotland 3-1 Ukraine
[Group B Round-up]
GROUP B TABLE:
[1] SCO - PLD: 10 - PTS: 24
[2] ITA - PLD: 10 - PTS: 23
---------------------------
[3] FRA - PLD: 10 - PTS: 22
[4] UKR - PLD: 09 - PTS: 13
An Andrea Pirlo free kick and Fabio Grosso's late strike gave lacklustre Italy a 2-0 win over Georgia to keep their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign on track.
AC Milan midfielder Pirlo scored just before half-time when his effort from the centre of the pitch wrong-footed visiting 'keeper Georgi Lomaia and flew into the middle of the net.
The World champions wasted several other opportunities in the first half and only made sure of victory against a lively Georgia side when full back Grosso scooped the ball home after Luca Toni's layoff.
Italy remain second in Group B on 23 points, one below leaders Scotland and one above France.
But after Scotland's 3-1 win over Ukraine - who are now out of the running for qualification - and France's 6-0 away demolition of the Faroe Islands earlier, Italy still have work to do with just a trip to Glasgow and a home match with the Faroes to come next month.
But Italy could drop out of the top two on Wednesday when both of their rivals are in action. France only need to pick up a draw at home to Lithuania to go above the Azzurri in the standings. Scotland travel to Georgia in the other game - knowing a win would all but confirm their place in Austria and Switzerland next year.
GROUP B RESULTS:
Faroe Islands 0-6 France
Scotland 3-1 Ukraine
[Group B Round-up]
GROUP B TABLE:
[1] SCO - PLD: 10 - PTS: 24
[2] ITA - PLD: 10 - PTS: 23
---------------------------
[3] FRA - PLD: 10 - PTS: 22
[4] UKR - PLD: 09 - PTS: 13
[5] LIT - PLD: 09 - PTS: 10
[6] GEO - PLD: 10 - PTS: 07
[7] FAR - PLD: 10 - PTS: 00
GROUP B REMAINING FIXTURES:
[17-10-2007] France-Lithuania, Georgia-Scotland, Ukraine-Faroe Islands.
[17-11-2007] Lithuania-Ukraine, Scotland-Italy.
[21-11-2007] Georgia-Lithuania, Italy-Faroe Islands, Ukraine-France.
MATCH REACTION:
[Azzurri]
Source: UEFA / C4 Football Italia
GROUP B REMAINING FIXTURES:
[17-10-2007] France-Lithuania, Georgia-Scotland, Ukraine-Faroe Islands.
[17-11-2007] Lithuania-Ukraine, Scotland-Italy.
[21-11-2007] Georgia-Lithuania, Italy-Faroe Islands, Ukraine-France.
MATCH REACTION:
[Azzurri]
Source: UEFA / C4 Football Italia
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