Italy travelled to Malta tonight looking to maintain unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.
Cesare Prandelli's side got off the to the perfect start as Mario Balotelli scored from the penalty spot inside 10 minutes.
Malta responded and missed a spot kick of their own soon after as Michael Mifsud's effort was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.
Balotelli made the home side pay by netting his second before the break as Italy did enough to stay top of Group B.
Look back at an important win for the Azzurri with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening Azzuri fans and welcome to live coverage of Italy's latest World Cup qualifier. Cesare Prandelli's side travel to Malta tonight, expecting to keep their unbeaten qualifying record intact against the minnows.
Italy are full of confidence under Prandelli and enjoying a successful run of results, which continued with a 2-2 draw against Brazil in Geneva last week. There is no room for complacency in Malta tonight, with the Czech Republic and Bulgaria hot on their heels in Group B.
The Czech's reduced the gap behind Italy to two points earlier today with a comfortable 3-0 win in Armenia. The Azzurri need a similar performance of ruthless efficiency to stay in the sole automatic qualifying place tonight.
A relatively inexperienced Malta defence should provide Mario Balotelli with the perfect opportunity to continue his fine recent form tonight. Balotelli scored a quite superb goal from distance against Brazil last week to make it eight goals in his last seven matches in all competitions!
Prandelli must do without without Roma duo Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo tonight, with the pair both suspended. Osvaldo's absence should make way for Stephan El Shaarawy to continue his partnership with Balotelli on the international stage.
The only other serious selection for Italy is at right back. Ignazio Abate and Christian Maggio are fighting for a single spot in the Azzurri backline, but the Napoli man expected to get the nod and keep his place. Full team news from the Ta'Qali National Stadium will follow shortly.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Prandelli has opted to choose Abate in defence, which means his side tonight is made up entirely of players from AC Milan and Juventus. A complete look at the starting XI's will come in a matter of minutes.
ITALY: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, De Sciglio, Marchisio, Pirlo, Montolivo, Giaccherini, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
MALTA: Haber, Caruana, A Muscat, Sciberras, Dimech, Failla, Briffa, Mifsud, Schembri, Herrera, Camilleri
With Juve and Milan both in such fine form in 2013 Prandelli's selection policy is hardly a surprise. Emmanuele Giaccherini's inclusion means that the midfield has a slightly more attacking look, with Claudio Marchisio also providing support for Ballotelli and El Shaarawy.
Malta will be desperate for a response tonight after losing 6-0 to Bulgaria last Friday. The home side are heavily reliant on striker Michael Mifusd, who is Malta's all-time top goalscorer with 36 at international level.
A familiar face will greet Italy tonight in the Malta dugout. Coach Pietro Ghedin was assistant coach for the Azzurri across two decades, providing support to a string of managers including Dino Zoff, Cesare Maldini and Giovanni Trapattoni.
Ghedin has endured a miserable qualifying campaign so far, losing all four matches and failing to register a single credible performance. Pride will be the key for Malta tonight against formidable opposition.
Italy have only visited Malta twice in their history but were forced to work hard for three points on both occasions. Scorelines of 2-0 and 2-1 show that Malta is not an easy place to visit and I'm sure Prandelli would settle for a similar result tonight.
2-0 was infact the score when the two sides earlier in the qualifying campaign. The Azzurri triumphed at home on that night courtesy of goals from Mattia Destro and Federico Peluso.
If the gulf between the two sides was not clear, a quick scan of the World rankings tells the whole story. Italy are currently fifth in the FIFA rankings, while Malta sit at a lowly 147th. The archipelago nation have not won a competitive match in any competition since 2006.
There are a number of interesting options could make things interesting for Azzurri fans on the substitutes bench. Alessandro Diamanti, Alberto Gilardino and Alessio Cerci are all fighting to make the starting XI and will be eager to impress if given the chance.
Tonight's other big clash in Group B could go a long way to confirming Italy's place in Brazil next summer. Bulgaria travel to Denmark and anything other than a win will see the Azzurri go five points clear at the top.
A modern-day Azzurri legend reaches another milestone in Malta tonight. Gianluigi Buffon will earn his 126th Italy cap in goal, marshaling a back four that contains Juve teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli.
Tonight's match also marks a further chance for Mattia de Sciglio to impress. The Milan full-back has enjoyed a remarkable rise this season, leading to premature comparisons with Paolo Maldini. A mix of composure in defence and accurate crossing could make the 20-year-old become a key figure for club and country in the next few seasons.
Both teams are about to take field at a tiny but full National Stadium. Italy look calm and collected as they await their anthem.
PREDICTION! As the Azzurri belt out the Il Canto degli Italiani, there is just time for me to register a rather predictable prediction. Expect Balotelli and perhaps Giaccherini to net as Prandelli's side record a comfortable 3-0 win.
A rousing rendition of the Malta anthem has helped to build a cracking atmosphere as the two sides prepare for kickoff. The Turkish referee is completing his pre-match routine and we are about to get underway as top face bottom in Group B.
Italy get things off to a quick start and are on the attack instantly as Pirlo finds Balotelli. Much to the amusement of packed home crowd the striker slips out wide and the ball trickles out for a goal kick.
Abate brings the ball out of defence and finds Marchisio, who in turn picks out Balotelli in a deeper position. He is quickly brought down by Muscat, but a quick free kick fails to find El Shaarawy in space out wide.
Barzagli puts the ball straight out of play under pressure from Mifsud and Camilleri, but Italy regroup and regain possession much to the disappointment of a passionate home crowd.
GOAL! Malta 0-1 Italy (Balotelli)
Mario Balotelli has just handed Italy the perfect start from the penalty spot. El Shaarawy was bundled over in the box by Luke Dimech, giving the Turkish official little choice but to award a spot kick. Balotelli stayed calm and produced a trademark penalty into the bottom corner to hand Italy an early lead.
SHOT! Italy just came within inches of doubling their advantage through El Shaarawy. After a neat exchange with Balotelli the young forward curled a powerful effort just inches past the post. Malta are not pressing the ball and on this evidence the home side could be in for a long night.
Balotelli has just drifted into an offside position after attempting to turn a lofted cross from Giaccherini towards goal. Malta clear their lines quickly and launch a rare counter.
PENALTY TO MALTA! Malta have just been awarded a penalty after Schembri was bundled over in the box by Buffon. The veteran goalkeeper escapes with a yellow card and Michael Mifsud will step up to take the spot kick.
SAVE! Mifsud blasts his penalty low and hard but the ball is too central and allows Buffon to palm clear with a comfortable save. Relief for Italy and the veteran goalkeeper, who manages to atone for a shocking challenge under little pressure.
OFF THE BAR! Mifsud has just come within inches of making up that penalty miss with an outrageous strike from distance. The thumping drive had Buffon beaten all ends up, but comes crashing back off the bar and clear for a goal kick. How unlucky for the pacy striker, who could have easily scored twice in as many minutes on another night.
Italy have taken their foot off the pedal in the last five minutes and are lucky to still be ahead. De Sciglio offers his centre-backs a breather by bursting down the wing, but his final ball is poor and drifts aimlessly wide for a goal kick.
SHOT! Montolivo makes a storming run from deep to beat two Malta defenders and aim a chip towards goal from a tight angle. Haber was quick off his line and did just enough to put the Milan midfielder off his stride, sending the ball inches over the bar. Much more like it from Italy after a sloppy spell without possession.
Italy are back to a patient, probing style that brings their first corner kick as El Shaarawy plays a cross off Muscat. Pirlo decides to play it short to Giaccherini, who did not look ready and is quickly closed down and robbed of possession. A rare mistake from set piece there from Pirlo, remember that because it is a genuine collectors item!
SHOT! Balotelli shows a neat touch to find space from 20 yards and takes the chance to fire an effort towards. The strike lacks bend and accuracy and eventually falls at least three yards beyond Haber's near post.
SAVE! Malta test Buffon and win their first corner as Faila's low shot from range needs to be pushed round the post. Herrera rises highest from the resulting corner and heads wide from close range. Malta are showing fight and commitment to make a real match of this fast-paced qualifier.
Italy win a second corner and Pirlo decides to send the ball into the penalty area after an earlier mishap. His looping delivery evades a packed penalty area, with five Italy players all making the same run towards a busy near-post area. Set pieces are clearly an area Prandelli needs to work on with the Azzurri.
Balotelli is bundled over by Dimech on the halfway line and quickly squares up the full-bearded defender. The striker needs to keep his temper and avoid provocation despite definitely being fouled as the referee steps between the two players.
Giaccherini sends an aimless ball over the top, which meets an angry response from Balotelli. Despite leading the Azzurri are clearly frustrated with their efforts in the last 20 minutes. The visitors do have a free kick just outside the area after Pirlo was brought down on a forward surge.
Balotelli runs over the ball and leaves Pirlo to take, but the Juve midfielder can only send a low effort straight into the Malta wall. The hosts have five minutes to hang on stay alive before the break as Italy send increasing numbers forward from midfield.
Montolivo tries his luck from range but his powerful strike is wayward and leaves Haber with nothing to do. Malta will be happy to restrict the Azzurri to efforts from distance until the break at this stage.
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Balotelli is brought down for the third time by Dimech, but the defender escapes without a caution again. A Mexican wave normally means a match has gone stale, but a jubilant home crowd are using it to show their appreciation for a spirited first-half display from Malta's minnows.
GOAL! Malta 0-2 Italy (Balotelli)
Just before the break Italy have silenced the home crowd and once again Balotelli is at his clinical best from close range. A long diagonal ball from Bonucci found De Sciglio, who burst towards the byline before cutting back for Balotelli. The AC Milan striker had a small area to aim for at the far post, but picked his spot perfectly to put Italy firmly in control.
HALF-TIME Malta 0-2 Italy
Italy have an all likelihood killed off the match before half-time, but that barely begins to tell the story of an entertaining first 45 minutes. Malta have missed a penalty and struck the bar from range but still find themselves 2-0 down at the interval.
Prandelli will need words with his defence at the break, despite the comfortable scoreline. A better side would have punished Italy tonight, with the Azzurri slack in possession for large parts of the first half.
The undoubted positive for Italy continues to be the prolific strike rate of Balotelli. A penalty coupled with a clinical finish means that the talisman has now scored 10 goals in 9 games for club and country in 2013. Who would bet against Balotelli getting his third in the second half?
Malta should be encouraged by their efforts so far tonight, but need to maintain their work rate to avoid a heavy defeat after the break. Pirlo, Marchisio and Giaccherini are yet to click in central midfield, which is strange as the trio play together at club level for Juventus.
Prandelli may well decide to make changes at the interval, with Cerci, Diamanti and Florenzi all options to switch things in midfield. Maggio and Giovinco can also count themselves unlucky not to start and will be itching for a chance to impress the Azzurri boss tonight.
SCORE UPDATE! Before play resumes in Malta lets get a quick look at the score in tonight's other Group B clash between Denmark and Bulgaria. Daniel Agger has just equalised for the Danes, with the score at 1-1. There is just 15 minutes left in Copenhagen and that scoreline is a good one for Italy, who as things stand will go three points clear at the top of Group B.
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Italy are keeping Malta waiting as they trudge back onto the pitch late for the second half. The home side are ready to resume and look eager to keep fighting for a result to be proud of against the Azzurri.
Malta begin the second half but quickly gift possession to Bonucci. Italy coach Prandelli has decided to stick with his starting XI for now, with Balotelli searching for the goal that will bring up his hat-trick.
Pirlo gets an early chance to send in a free kick after Balotelli is pushed to the floor by Dimech. His cross is far better than earlier efforts but just avoids Barzagli's late dart towards the far post.
Malta enjoy a rare venture forward as De Sciglio gifts the home side possession in the final third. Herrera takes advantage and drives towards the byline, but his low cross is disappointing and hammers into the side netting for a goal kick.
A scrappy period of play sees both sides commit fouls within the space of a minute on the halfway line. Italy are yet to find the cutting edge that produced two moments of Balotelli magic before the break.
SHOT! Malta have a great chance to test Buffon as Muscat smashes towards goal from 18 yards. His strike his hit low and true but drifts just beyond the far post. The hosts have definitely had chances to score tonight against a surprisingly slack Italy backline.
SAVE! Haber has just produced his best save of the night to stop Giaccherini from making the score 3-0. A pacy run from El Shaarawy down the right led to a cross which picked out the Juve midfielder unmarked. After a heavy first touch Giaccherini flicked the ball towards goal, but Haber was equal to the deft strike and did enough to tip it round the post for a corner kick.
PENALTY APPEAL! Mifsud is desperately asking the referee for a spot kick after appearing to have his legs taken away by Barzagli in the box. The Turkish referee has already given two penalties tonight and waves away angry protests from the home side, who definitely have cause to feel hard done by there.
BLOCK! A clever exchange between Mifsud and Schembri has just carved open an experienced Italy defence. After hesitating to unleash a strike on goal Mifsud's powerful drive is blocked behind for a corner by a late block from Barzagli.
ITALY SUBSTITUTION: Prandelli decides to tinker in midfield, bringing off Giaccherini for Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva. His introduction means that the Azzurri no longer have a team that consists entirely of players from AC Milan and Juventus.
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SCORE UPDATE! The full-time whistle has gone in Copenhagen and Denmark have held Bulgaria to a 1-1 draw. That result means that Italy will go three points clear at the top of Group B if they hold onto their advantage in Malta.
Barzagli tries a long diagonal to Balotelli, who produces a superb piece of skill to control and find Candreva out wide. The mercurial striker still looks in the mood to register a hat-trick in the closing stages tonight despite a quiet second half.
Italy are labouring slightly in the closing stages as Barzagli gives the ball away with another sloppy pass. Marchisio does brilliantly to track pack and regain possession, but this is hardly a convincing display from Prandelli's experienced side.
Malta are pressing in the final third but look unlikely to reduce the deficit. Balotelli shows his frustration as he runs 15 yards to flatten Briffa, but escapes without a caution. In fairness to the Milan striker he has been fouled on at least five occasions tonight.
Candreva shows his quality to beat two defenders out wide before flashing a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. Luckily for Malta Haber is alive to the danger and prevents Balotelli from pouncing at the far post with an important interception.
ITALY SUBSTITUTION: Prandelli hands Torino midfielder Cerci a chance to impress in the last 12 minutes, with El Shaarawy given a rest in the closing stages.
Cerci is instantly involved and lucky to escape without a caution after appearing to leave a foot in on Schembri. Italy are playing in second gear as we approach the final 10 minutes in cruise control.
Montolivo becomes the latest Italy player to concede possession under no pressure, a worrying trend that has been rife among Italy's midfield throughout tonight. Cerci buys some time for the visitors by winning a corner on the right-hand side, but a short delivery fails to trouble Malta's spirited defence.
MALTA SUBSTITUTION: The home side bring on veteran forward Andrew Cohen for the closing stages. He replaces Faila, who has been a willing runner in midfield all night for Malta.
Cerci sends a clever chip behind the Malta backline towards Balotelli, but his attempt to return the favour with a backheel is poorly executed. Balotelli is limping slightly following that passage of play but is quickly involved again to pick out Candreva. The Lazio midfielder has time and space out wide but curls well over the bar from 20 yards.
ITALY SUBSTITUTION: Prandelli decides the time is right to withdraw Balotelli. He is replaced by Alberto Gilardino, who comes on to win his 50th international cap.
MALTA SUBSTITUTION: The home side swap captain Michael Mifsud for Terence Vella. Mifsud had a bright game in attack but will surely rue that missed penalty, which could have changed this match completely in the first 20 minutes.
Italy are closing out stoppage time with minimum fuss as a clinical, disciplined performance comes to a close. The Azzurri have been far form their best tonight but will leave Malta with a crucial three points.
FULL-TIME Malta 0-2 Italy
Despite a spirited effort from Malta in the first half Italy have done enough to extend their lead the top of Group B tonight, thanks to a pair of clinical finishes from Balotelli.
Italy now hold a three-point lead at the top of Group B over Bulgaria, with the Czech Republic a further point behind in third. Prandelli's men are unbeaten in five qualifiers and look in pole position to claim a place in next summer's World Cup qualifiers.
That just about does it for Sports Mole's coverage from Malta. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in for comprehensive coverage of international football across the site this evening. Goodnight.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
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