Italy were way short of their best but got the job done thanks to two late goals as they won 3-1 in Euro 2020 qualifying away to Armenia.
2020 EURO qualification
1-3
Match Report
Unbeaten Italy took another step towards the Euro 2020 finals with a 3-1 win in Armenia.
An Andrea Belotti brace and a solitary effort from substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini settled a spicy contest in Yerevan against hosts who played the full second half with 10 men.
Armenia could count themselves unlucky, losing their early goal-scorer Aleksandre Karapetyan to a controversial red card just before the break.
They matched Italy for long stretches in the second half, but two goals in three minutes scuppered their hopes of reward.
Player Ratings
Match Events
11' GOAL! Armenia 1-0 Italy (Karapetyan)
The home side break on the counter-attack very quickly with Barseghyan leading the charge through the middle. He plays it to Karapetian who very confidently fires his shot past Donnarumma and into the far side of the net. 1-0 Armenia!
28' GOAL! Armenia 1-1 Italy (Belotti)
The cross by Emerson into the box was put into a very dangerous area and Belotti was waiting at the far post to tap the ball into the back of the net from close range.
46' Second Yellow Card! Karapetyan sent off!
He jumps with Bonucci in an aerial challenge to try and win the ball but catches the Italy captain with his elbow on the way down. The referee is quickly across to show him his second yellow card and sends the goal scorer off.
77' GOAL! Armenia 1-2 Italy (Pellegrini)
Pellegrini just pulls away from his defender as he drifts towards the near post to get on the end of Bonucci's cross. He glances his header past Hayrapetyan and into the far netting. 2-1 Italy!
80' GOAL! Armenia 1-3 Italy (Belotti)
He latches onto Sensi's pass and turns past his defender with the ball before cutting back inside to get his shot away. He hits it low and it bounces off the near post, onto the goalkeeper's back and over the line.