Early goals set the tempo as four-star Italy demolish World Cup hosts Germany

ITALY thrashed World Cup hosts Germany 4-1 in a surprisingly one-sided international friendly in Florence last night.

The home side took early control, storming into a two-goal lead inside the first seven minutes at the Artemio Franchi stadium.

Alberto Gilardino pounced from close range before setting up Luca Toni for an easy second in front of his home crowd. Daniele De Rossi’s header before the break practically killed off German hopes of mounting a comeback, and Alessendro Del Piero added to their misery 11 minutes into the second half.