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Pippo Inzaghi's brace secured the three points for Italy, but a 2-1 win in the Faroe Islands with some disastrous finishing feels like a defeat. The Azzurri needed six points from their two June away games in the Faroe Islands and Lithuania if they were to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the European Championships. A cold and soaking wet day welcomed Italy to Torshavn and Roberto Donadoni surprised many by fielding Aimo Diana for his first international since November 2005. Old hands Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi completed the trident attack with Lazio's Tommaso Rocchi. The Faroe Islands were entirely made up of non-professionals and so far in qualifying they had lost all six games by scoring one goal and conceding 23. Rocchi threaded through for Inzaghi to hit the side-netting in the opening three minutes, but the home side had an extra two men in midfield and overcrowded Gennaro Gattuso, so could be dangerous on the break with Thomassen firing well wide. Diana had a shot deflected over, but the deadlock was finally broken on 12 minutes. Andrea Pirlo's long ball over the top was not hooked down by Jacobsen and Inzaghi was quick to toe-poke it past the goalkeeper from seven yards. Del Piero cut back past a defender and saw his shot parried towards Rocchi, but that too was deflected over the bar. Inzaghi's diving header from a Massimo Oddo cross skimmed the near post, but Marco Materazzi had a nervy moment on R Jacobsen. Diana really should have marked his comeback with a goal when he went clear on Del Piero's slide-rule pass, but opted to roll across for the offside Inzaghi rather than shoot. Del Piero curled a free kick inches wide of the far post and a Pirlo set-piece found Materazzi's header off target. Inzaghi hooked down a long cross at the back post, but was charged down by a combination of defender and goalkeeper. Straight after the restart, Champions League Final hero Inzaghi hit the back of the net again to complete his brace. Pirlo spread the play for Oddo and Diana's floated cross found SuperPippo with a cushioned header at the back post. Gennaro Gattuso was the first player booked for a late tackle, but Pirlo's free kick was pushed on to the base of the upright by goalkeeper Mikkelsen - a teacher. Inzaghi made way for Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli, who had not received an international call since August 2006, and Andrea Barzagli replaced Materazzi. Gattuso risked a red card for a second late challenge and was warned by the Polish referee. Lucarelli's first contribution was a wayward and selfish strike from distance when teammates were in a better position. The Livorno hitman wasted an even more glorious opportunity. He had his back to goal and the defender slipped, but he spun round and drilled well wide with only the 'keeper to beat. Donadoni did not hide his frustration from the sidelines. The Faroe Islands earned their first corner - and first attacking move of any note - after 75 minutes of play and very nearly scored, as Jon Roi Jacobsen's header landed on the roof of the net. It was a warning that was not heeded, as moments later they got on the scoresheet! Gianluigi Buffon was furious with his defenders, who were caught napping on a cross into the centre for Rogvi Jacobsen's header at the near post. It was only the second goal that the Faroe Islands had scored in their qualifying campaign and was welcomed by the fans as a triumph. Italy were stunned and introduced Fabio Quagliarella for Rocchi, who had been used throughout basically as a midfielder more than a striker. Pirlo set up a chance for Del Piero, who swung wildly at the ball to fire wide of the open goal from eight yards. Only Buffon managed to keep the point safe in stoppages with a fine save to deny Holst after another defensive error!
Italy's finishing on the day was abysmal and Oddo set up another easy chance that Del Piero ballooned over from close range. Lucarelli then failed to get his head on to an Oddo cross with the goalkeeper already stranded.
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