Italy made to battle to beat plucky Portugal

ITALY’S stuttering World Cup campaign showed no sign of improvement last night as they struggled to an unconvincing Pool C win over brave Portugal at the Parc des Princes.

The Italians ran in just three tries against the amateurs, centre Andrea Masi scoring one in each half and flanker Mauro Bergamasco adding the other.

David Bortolussi kicked four penalties and two conversions but the Azzurri were sloppy and directionless, especially in the second half, and did not even claim a bonus point.