Two for Totti as Italy get back on track

FRANCESCO TOTTI scored twice as Italy got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 4-3 victory over Belarus in a remarkable Group Five game.

Italy went ahead in the 27th minute through a twice-taken penalty from Totti and then doubled their advantage six minutes later with a confident strike from midfielder Daniele De Rossi.

Belarus replied seven minutes into the second-half with a spectacular 35-metre drive from Maxim Romashchenko before Marcello Lippi's side restored their two-goal cushion in the 74th minute with a beautiful free-kick from Totti.