Italy thrash Israel to qualify from Group A

Italy Under-21s have thrashed their Israeli counterparts 4-0 to qualify from Group A in the European Championship.

© AP Photos

It took just 10 minutes for the Italians to test Boris Klaiman, as Lorenzo Insigne forced the Israel shot-stopper into a smart save.

Then after 18 minutes they were ahead, Riccardo Saponara finishing well after Ciro Immobile laid the ball off to him first time.

Manolo Gabbiadini made it 2-0 just before half time, five minutes after Eyal Golasa was shown a straight red for a two-footed lunge.

Gabbiadini netted his second just four minutes after the restart, this time rifling a low free kick into the back of the net.

With 20 minutes to play Alessandro Florenzi got in on the action, making it 4-0 with a largely scrappy finish.

There was no way back for Israel, with Italy running out clear and deserved winners.