Italy get campaign off to perfect start against gallant Ghana

Italy 2 Ghana 0

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo opened the scoring after 39 minutes before substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta put the game beyond their African opponents with eight minutes remaining.

The Azzurri looked by far the more incisive team and Marcello Lippi’s men could have won by a bigger advantage had Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingston not stood strong to deny attacking duo Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino on several occasions. They were also thankful for goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who held firm when Ghana drove on in search of an equaliser before Iaquinta scored Italy’s second.

The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams determined to impose their play, but it was not long before the Azzurri took command. Captain Fabio Cannavaro had the first chance of the game as he headed over from a Pirlo corner.

Italy could have broken the deadlock in the 11th minute when Gilardino beat Ghana goalkeeper Kingston only to be denied by the post.

Ghana were beginning to take a grip in midfield after Italy’s whirlwind opening. Alessandro Nesta was forced to make a vital clearance inside his own area from John Pantsil’s cross with Matthew Amoah ready to pounce.

Midway through the first half, Italy missed a golden chance after Cristian Zaccardo curled in an inviting cross towards the box which neither Toni nor Gilardino were able to reach. Toni made amends seconds later when Gilardino’s pass sliced Ghana’s defence wide open to find the Fiorentina striker, whose effort from the edge of the area was denied by the crossbar.

Italy finally broke the deadlock six minutes before the break with Totti’s pass finding an unmarked Pirlo, who thumped home a shot from 30 yards. Italy could have gone into the break with a 2-0 lead had Kingston not palmed away Grosso’s powerful shot on the stroke of half-time.

Ghana looked more lively after the break but it was Italy that continued to look more dangerous. Kingston did well to anticipate Toni with the striker ready to fire from Perrotta’s cross.

Lippi was forced to make his first substitution on 56 minutes, with Mauro Camoranesi in for Totti, who was hurt following a harsh challenge. Totti’s withdrawal saw the Azzurri shift to a 4-4-2 formation.

Substitute Camoranesi was booked two minutes later after an unnecessary challenge on Sulley Muntari. Shortly after the hour mark, Essien fired off-target as Ghana attempted to find the equaliser.

With Italy looking content to sit deep and hit on the break, Lippi brought on in-form Iaquinta for Gilardino. Italy could have netted their second shortly after, had Kingston not palmed away Perrotta’s close-range shot from Daniele de Rossi’s assist.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic replaced Amoah with Razak Pimpong in an attempt to finally breach Italy’s organised defence.

With 12 minutes remaining, Ghana players demanded a penalty after Gyan was brought down inside Italy’s area by De Rossi, but referee Carlos Simon, who was close to the action, said to play on.

Lippi made his last substitution on 80 minutes, with Alessandro del Piero in for Toni. But it was Iaquinta who killed off the game two minutes later, after intercepting Samuel Kuffour’s pass to his goalkeeper before dribbling past Kingston and firing into the back of the net.

ITALY: Buffon, Zaccardo, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso, Totti (Camoranesi 56), Perrotta, Pirlo, De Rossi, Toni (Del Piero 82), Gilardino (Iaquinta 64).

GHANA: Kingston, Pantsil, Kuffour, Mensah, Pappoe (Shilla 45), Muntari, Essien, Appiah, Eric Addo, Gyan (Tachie-Mensah 89), Amoah (Pimpong 68).

Ref: Carlos Eugenio Simon (Brazil).