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.

Robert Huth pulled one back for Germany eight minutes from time.

It was not the only shock of the evening. Slovakia recorded a 2-1 win in Paris, handing France their first defeat since Euro 2004. Szilard Nemeth and Jozef Valachovic netted for the Slovaks in the second half before a Sylvain Wiltord penalty pulled one back for Les Bleus.

In Moscow, Ronaldo’s fortuitous first-half goal was enough to secure Brazil a 1-0 victory over Russia. A shot from Roberto Carlos struck his Real Madrid team mate and surprised Igor Akinfeyev after 15 minutes.

Denmark beat Israel 2-0 in Tel Aviv. Two first-half goals settled the match, by Kenneth Perez after seven minutes and Morten Skoubo after 19.

Croatia came from a goal down to upset fellow World Cup contenders Argentina 3-2. Leading thanks to a goal from Ivan Klasnic after just three minutes, Croatia found themselves on the back foot following fourth and sixth-minute strikes from Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. Two second-half headers from Darijo Simic secured the win for the Croats.

Two late goals from Turkey striker Umit Karan salvaged a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic. Karel Poborsky put the Czech Republic ahead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, and the Jiri Stajner doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Umit pulled one goal back in the 89th minute, tapping past Petr Cech from close range. In the dying moments he beat Cech again.

Two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia while Dirk Kuijt’s goal gave the Netherlands a 1-0 victory over fellow World Cup finalists Ecuador.