Roberto Mancini's Italy turned on the style in their final Group J game in Euro 2020 qualifying with a 9-1 demolition of Armenia.
2020 EURO qualification
9-1
Match Reports
Roberto Mancini's rampant Italy broke more records as they maintained their 100 per cent points return in Euro 2020 qualifying with a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia in Palermo.
The Azzurri had long since booked their place in next year's finals and last week defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina for a 10th consecutive win for the first time in their history.
There was no slowing Italy in their final Group J game, though, as they turned on the style to end the campaign with 10 victories from 10.
An 11th straight win in all saw seven different Italy goalscorers in a match for the first time, as Ciro Immobile and Nicolo Zaniolo each netted twice.
Zaniolo, debutant Riccardo Orsolini and Federico Chiesa all notched their first goals for their country, with Nicolo Barella, Alessio Romagnoli and Jorginho also on target in a stunning success.
Group Standing
Match Events
8' GOAL! Italy 1-0 Armenia (Immobile)
GOAL! Immobile gives Italy an early lead! Armenia fail to clear a free-kick from the left, allowing Chiesa to create a yard of space for a cross down right-hand side. The winger floats his delivery into the far post for Immobile, who powers his header into the bottom left corner from close range. 1-0.
9' GOAL! Italy 2-0 Armenia (Zaniolo)
GOAL! Zaniolo quickly makes it two! Immobile spots the run of Zaniolo to his right and slides the ball into his path. After driving into the box, the attacker puts it through Hayrapetyan’s legs and into the back of the net. 2-0.
29' GOAL! Italy 3-0 Armenia (Barella)
GOAL! Barella adds another for Italy! The midfielder was well found making surging run through on goal by Bonucci, and after controlling the ball neatly, poked it into beyond Hayrapetyan from the edge of the box. 3-0.
33' GOAL! Italy 4-0 Armenia (Immobile)
GOAL! Immobile bags a brace! Immobile is once again able to break free after being found making a run beyond the Armenian defence by Zaniolo. The Lazio striker gets the ball out of his feet before side-footing it into the bottom right corner from the middle of the penalty area. 4-0.
44' CLOSE! Immobile hits the post
OFF THE POST! Immobile picks the ball up down the left side of the area and, after cutting onto his right foot, curls an effort against the far post. Italy were so close to extending their lead with that shot.
64' GOAL! Italy 5-0 Armenia (Zaniolo)
GOAL! Zaniolo makes it five with a superb strike! Jorginho drove forward before laying the ball off to his left for the Roma midfielder, who unleashed a perfectly-struck left-footed effort from the edge of the box which sailed beyond Hayrapetyan and into the bottom right corner. 5-0.
Jorginho with an assist there.
72' GOAL! Italy 6-0 Armenia (Romagnoli)
GOAL! Romagnoli adds another! An Italian corner from the left wasn’t dealt with by Armenia and after Hayrapetyan made a reflect save to initially deny Di Lorenzo, Romagnoli reacted quickest to steer the rebound into the bottom left corner from close range. 6-0.
Alessio Romagnoli puts the ball in the net and the home team extend their lead. The score-line now reads 6-0.
75' Penalty Goal! Italy 7-0 Armenia (Jorginho)
GOAL! Jorginho converts from the spot! After doing his usual run up, the Chelsea midfielder sends Hayrapetyan the wrong way and places the ball down the centre of the goal. 7-0.
77' GOAL! Italy 8-0 Armenia (Orsolini)
GOAL! Orsolini with another for the home side! Chiesa displays some great close control down the left side of the penalty area before lofting the ball into the middle of the box for Orsolini to head home from close range after being left completely unmarked. 8-0.
79' GOAL! Italy 8-1 Armenia (Babayan)
GOAL! What a strike! Armenia pull one back! From 25-yards out, Babayan tries his luck and after striking the ball incredibly sweetly, finds the top left corner of the net. 8-1.
81' GOAL! Italy 9-1 Armenia (Chiesa)
ANOTHER GOAL! Chiesa makes it nine! Orsolini skips beyond Hovhannisyan down the right flank before sending an inch-perfect cross into the box which Chiesa rises to meet and steer beyond Hayrapetyan from only a few yards out. 9-1.
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