Luca Toni Brace Sinks Ukraine

A second half double from Luca Toni has seen Italy progress to the Semi Finals with a 3-0 thrashing of Ukraine in Hamburg overnight.

The deafening chant of “Italia, Italia, Italia,” echoed through the stadium as the Azurri put on a clinical display of counter attacking football against a Ukraine team that lacked imagination, with star Andrij Shevchenko marked out of the game.

The Azurri were dominant from the get go in this fixture, and picked up where they left off against Australia, when after just six minutes Zambrotta, went on a searching run down the right side received the ball and blasted a low cracking drive into the bottom corner of the Ukraine goal.

Much of the remainder of the first half was dominated by the Italians and they made Ukraine look substandard, especially as a result of some very tight double teaming on Shevchenko, who looked clearly frustrated at his lack of chances and his teams apparent ineptitude to really do anything with the ball.

The first half came and went with little excitement, but in the second half the Ukraine team, came out fired up, and showed a rebellious defiance in the early parts, indicating they would not go quietly, and it took all of Italy’s much vaunted defensive skills to keep them out.

Then just four minutes into the second half Shevchenko was able to get some room, and very nearly made the Italians pay when heading a Kalischenko corner very nearly past Buffon at the far post, and the Italian keeper’s save was top drawer.

At that stage, the game had developed into gripping battle. Francesco Totti had a powerful strike deflected into the grateful arms of Ukraine’s keeper, almost immediately Ukraine countered with a raid of their own.

Krusev had his fine shot parried by Buffon, leaving Kalischenko to follow up, but a desperate Zambrotta cleared his effort off the line. The Ukraine players desperately appealed for a handball decision, but no penalty was given despite indications there may have been a touch on the arm.

After Ukraine earned a corner, and Guson headed a great chance on to the bar, Italy broke on the counter and earned a corner of their own and after some very lax marking in the box.

Luca Toni ended his goal drought, knocking a simple header from close range into the corner of the net. Shortly after, in the 69th minute, Toni was loose again and Zambrotta made an excellent run beating two would be defenders before passing to Toni who side footed into the open net for his second goal.

Ukraine had some ate chances to salvage some pride but efforts from Shevchenko and Belic were turned away by Buffon, and Italy really stamped their mark on this game.

The Azurri do not play the most beautiful brand of football, but at this tournament, it is looking very effective. The only time they looked under threat was when Ukraine stretched them wide, and crossed the ball in. Perhaps this is the way for Germany to succeed against them, especially with the towering presence of Miroslav Klose in the penalty area.

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