| Cristiano Lucarelli's brace saw off South Africa 2-0 in an international friendly with five Azzurri debutants. Roberto Donadoni made sweeping changes for this international friendly, giving several players their first senior caps - Alessandro Gamberini, Riccardo Montolivo and Alessandro Rosina. Daniele De Rossi wore the captain's armband for the first time at the age of 24. The Azzurri's confidence was boosted by Saturday's 2-0 victory over Georgia and news that this evening Euro 2008 rivals Scotland were defeated, boosting Italy's chances of qualifying. These two teams had only met once before, in Perugia in 2001 when Vincenzo Montella sealed the 1-0 victory. This experimental Italy side had a bright start, pinning South Africa back into their own half, although Cristiano Lucarelli went for glory rather than setting up a teammate. De Rossi was at full stretch, but couldn't quite get his head to Foggia's cross. Italy were unlucky not to take the lead on 18 minutes, as Rosina's free kick was flicked off Cristian Zaccardo for a totally free header that clipped the crossbar. Lucarelli and Giorgio Chiellini both drilled wide of the near post and Modise fired over for the South Africans. Chiellini felt his volley had been charged down by Evans' arm, but the referee waved play on, as the two were extremely close together. On 37 minutes Fernandez came flying out to push Rosina's free kick off the head of Lucarelli. Cagliari midfielder Foggia slowly increased his role in the game as the first half wore on. There was another excellent chance to take the lead just before the break, but the defence managed to close down Rosina's cross to the back post. After the restart Lucarelli flicked on the ball for Rosina, but Mokoena performed a crucial tackle to cut off the Torino starlet inside the box. Montolivo's smart ball over the top of the defence sent Lucarelli clear on goal, but the 'keeper came tearing out to hoof it clear. Mokoena tackled Lucarelli on the edge of the area and the ball went back to Montolivo for the Fiorentina midfielder to smash a shot wide of the near post. Foggia's free kick was deflected over the bar in his last move, as he made way for Alberto Gilardino and Angelo Palombo replaced De Rossi. Gila put on the captain's armband and within 30 seconds had Italy's best chance of the game so far - an angled drive that Fernandez fingertipped round the far post. The Azzurri went even closer moments later. A Rosina cross towards the back post found Stefano Mauri unmarked for a header that shaved the frame of the goal. Udinese's Andrea Dossena came on for Gamberini to make his senior Italy debut. The new entry skipped between two South Africa defenders down the left flank to enter the box, but his cross could not find Gilardino. Italy hit the woodwork for the second time on 68 minutes. Lucarelli sprung the offside trap and chipped up the cross for Gilardino's header on to the upright from a couple of yards. Mauri pounced on the loose ball and clattered into two African defenders acting as human shields. Juventus midfielder Antonio Nocerino got his senior bow in place of Under-21 teammate Montolivo. South Africa had a rare effort on goal with a Benni McCarthy free kick over the bar. Dossena set up a great chance for Gilardino at the back post and Giandomenico Mesto picked up his third cap, replacing Zaccardo. Italy finally got their deserved goal seven minutes from time. A corner kick sparked the move, as Dossena's cross was flicked on by Gilardino for Lucarelli's stooping header from eight yards, taking advantage of some static defending. Rosina's free kick skimmed the target before the debutant made way for Fiorentina's Franco Semioli. The substitute proved crucial, as he almost immediately created the second for Lucarelli. Semioli's cross from the right looped on to Lucarelli's head from six yards to slot into the far top corner. Lucarelli nearly completed his hat-trick in stoppages, but after riding a tackle he saw the goalkeeper palm away his shot.
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