Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Liechtenstein vs Italy match report, key moments

Roberto Mancini's men were among the goals, as Italy celebrated qualifying for Euro 2020 by netting five goals against Liechtenstein. Group J's wooden spooners were quick off the blocks against Italy, managing to mount an attack in the first couple of minutes. Italy's quality, however, showed when Juventus' Federico Bernardeschi opened the scoring for the Azzurri. Italy have already qualified for Euro 2020 with two games left to play in Euro 2020 qualifiers. 

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Bernardeschi's goal meant that Roberto Mancini's men had the upper hand in the game as early as the second minute when Cristiano Biraghi squared in for Bernardeschi. The Italian winger made no mistake to smash in Italy's first for the night. Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was then called into action after Liechtenstein winger Dennis Salanovic managed a shot through on goal. Marco Verrati was the prominent presence for the Italians in the first half, with the PSG midfielder making some important blocks in the centre of the park. Verrati also indulged in a little playmaking, playing a ball through to Andrea Belotti, who, in turn, flicked the ball in winger Vincenzo Grifo's path. The chance, however, was snuffed out by the Liechtenstein defence. 

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Bernardeschi tried to get on the scoresheet once again, as he attempted a volley from outside the box. The winger, however, failed to make proper contact with the ball, as the Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel made a comfortable save. Nicolo Zaniolo then went close as he shot a venomous effort straight at the Liechtenstein 'keeper who once again saved easily. Buchel was once again called into action, as Bernardeschi shot a freekick straight at the 'keeper, who did well to hold on to it. 

It was then Salanovic's turn to register a shot on Italy's goal as the winger shot from distance. Sirigu dived to save with his fingertips to ensure Italy went into the break with a lead. Italy's second assault started well into the second half, when Vincenzo Grifo's corner was headed in by Belotti to put Italy two goals up in the 70th minute. Italy centre-back Alessio Romagnoli then headed in Stephen El  Shaarawy's cross to make it 3-0 for the Azzurri. Liechtenstein's keeper got a hand to the header, but the power on the header was enough to see it hit the net. 

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: A five-star display from the Azzurri

It was El Sharaawy's turn to get on the scoresheet when he put a simple finish past Buchel to make it 4-0 in the 82nd minute. The Shanghai Shenhua forward went close once again when he shot tried to manoeuvre a half-volley into the net. Bulan, however, made a comfortable save this time. Belotti then came flying in to convert Giovanni Di Lorenzo's cross to make it 5-0 for Roberto Mancini's men. In hindsight, the scoreline will be flattering to the Italians. However, Liechtenstein did their bit and went perilously close to scoring in the game through efforts from Dennis Salanovic.  

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