Milan midfielder Kakha Kaladze started despite his 21-year-old brother Levan’s continuing ordeal in the hands of kidnappers. The emotion of the moment clearly showed as he wiped away tears during the Georgian national anthem. An imposing police presence surrounded the Stadium, as the political situation is relatively unstable.

After a slow start Georgia began to take control in midfield and Wolves star Temuri Ketsbaia was a constant threat with his lightning pace. Kavelashvili sprung the offside trap but Fabio Cannavaro was able to deflect his shot wide. Italy pushed up towards the end of the first half and following a couple of good chances for Marco Delvecchio, the Roma striker nodded in Gianluca Zambrotta’s taut cross to break the deadlock.

The Georgians came out fighting and Gianluigi Buffon made a stunning reaction stop on Kobiashvili’s powerful drive. Kavelashvili left Cannavaro standing with a fine move, but he fired over the bar. Trapattoni saw the pressure his side was under and opted for a more solid midfield. Two Roma players combined for the second goal as Damiano Tommasi battled to set up Francesco Totti, who intelligently rounded the ‘keeper to slot into an empty net.

Vincenzo Montella came on as a substitute, but it was Georgian new entry Georgi Gakhokidze who chested down and fired in mere seconds after stepping onto the field. This goal set up a tense and exciting finale. On the counter-attack the goalkeeper clattered into Montella but the referee waved away the Azzurri’s penalty appeals.

Georgia: Zoidze; Silagadze, Abramidze, Rekhviashvili, Khizanashvili (Gakhokidze 79); Kaladze, Nemzadze (S.Arveladze 34), Kavelashvili, Kestbaia; Kobiashvili, Menteshashvili (A.Arveladze 60)

Italy: Buffon; Cannavaro, Nesta (Materazzi 73), Pancaro; Zambrotta, Tacchinardi, Tommasi, Maldini; Totti; Del Piero (Di Livio 57), Delvecchio (Montella 78)

Ref: Gonzales (Spain)