Vieri on target twice to put Italy back on track

A resurgent Italy boosted their hopes of qualifying for next year's European championships in Portugal after defeating Group Nine rivals Finland 2-0.

After one win in three qualifiers, the Italians desperately needed three points to revive a stuttering campaign, and they did not disappoint a partisan crowd in Sicily who witnessed an impressive home performance.

Two first-half goals from Christian Vieri settled a one-sided contest, with Italy showing the kind of form that took them to the European championship final in 2000 which they were unlucky to lose to France.

Vieri's clinical finishing was matched by the sublime skills of Roma captain Francesco Totti, who set up both of his team-mate's goals and bemused the visitors with the range and accuracy of his passing.

Victory lifted Italy up to second in the group with seven points, five less than surprise leaders Wales, who maintained their 100 per cent record earlier in the day with a 4-0 home win over Azerbaijan.

Winners of the group are guaranteed qualification while the runners-up must take part in a two-legged play-off.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said he was cautious but still hopeful the Azzurri could catch Wales and qualify automatically.

"It's up to us but I believe we can do it," he said.

"The players gave everything tonight and if we continue to show the same kind of spirit in our remaining matches we can still win the group."

Totti agreed with his coach that Italy could still clinch first place.

"This performance proves that we are a united and complete squad," he said.

"When we play like this we can beat anyone, and with four games to go I think we can still make it."

Roma's Marco Delvecchio was purring after his side's attacking display which contrasted starkly with their performances in their three previous qualifiers.

"In the past we have been too cautious but tonight we went on the attack from the very first minute and had them under pressure for most of the match," he said.

"We won 2-0 but the margin could have been far greater. We created plenty of chances and kept it tight at the back.

"The early goal helped us and after that we played some intelligent football."

Trapattoni adopted an adventurous 4-2-3-1 formation, with striker Vieri supported by fellow striker Totti and wing-backs Delvecchio and Mauro Camoranesi.

Finland manager Antti Muurinen employed 22-year-old Chelsea marksman Mikael Forssell alone up front, with Teemu Tainio playing in a more withdrawn role.

Italy immediately took the game to the Finns and their positive approach was rewarded with the opening goal in the sixth minute.

Totti collected the ball midway inside Finland's half and played a quick one-two with Delvecchio before storming into the penalty box.

Roma's talisman looked up and rolled an angled pass into the path of Vieri who tapped the ball home from close range.

Six minutes later Totti's clever pass sliced open the Finland defence and put Vieri through on goal, but Italy's leading goalscorer saw his powerful drive palmed away by Finland's agile goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

With the home side applying all the pressure it was no surprise when Italy increased their lead in the 23rd minute.

Totti received the ball after a rare Finnish attack had broken down, and with the outside of his boot played a delightful first-time pass over the visiting defence for Vieri to run onto.

The Inter Milan striker showed a clean pair of heels to the last defender before clipping the ball over the advancing Niemi for his 17th goal in an Italian shirt.

Trailing by two goals, Finland were forced to throw caution to the wind and they came close to halving Italy's advantage five minutes after the break.

A lapse of concentration in the Italy defence allowed Mika Nurmela to wriggle free of his marker, only for the right-sided midfielder to see his drive parried by Azzurri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Set free by Delvecchio, Vieri should have grabbed his and Italy's third five minutes later, but the giant target man dwelt on the ball too long and allowed Hannu Tihinen the time to nick the ball off his toe.

Delvecchio then delivered a low cross for Totti, who at full stretch saw his right-foot effort come back off the post, while at the other end only a superb last-ditch tackle from Alessandro Nesta denied Forssell a certain goal.

With Finland offering little response, Italy took their foot off the pedal in the closing stages and defended their first-half lead with ease.