Italy

3.19

• 
  6

  0

  3.00

  Gianluigi Buffon

  Rarely troubled and largely a spectator until replaced with fifteen minutes to go.

• 
  5

  0

  3.00

  Giorgio Chiellini

  Simply and effectively dealt with the few attacks that Northern Ireland could muster. Very much the leader of the defence.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Federico Balzaretti

  Contributed much needed width to the Italian side, providing support to a narrow midfield. Created the third goal with an excellent touch across goal.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Andrea Barzagli

  Back in form at club level and had little to deal with tonight that would worry him.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Mattia Cassani

  Not as effective as Balzaretti on the other flank but still provided width and an option for the Azzuri midfield.

• 
  2

  0

  3.50

  Daniele De Rossi

  Covered plenty of ground as always but spent more time trying to create than his usual destruction job. Often delegated playmaking responsibilities to Pirlo.

• 
  9

  2

  3.00

  Alberto Aquilani

  A good performance from the former Liverpool man before being substituted, and was involved in the build-up for the first goal.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Riccardo Montolivo

  The Fiorentina playmaker made some telling interventions on the rare occasions that the visitors threatened, and also kept the ball moving well in the Italian midfield.

• 
  12

  0

  3.50

  Andrea Pirlo

  The creative force behind the team who produced an excellent pass when faced with a defensive wall when creating the third goal.

• 
  13

  3

  3.50

  Antonio Cassano Top of the Match

  Scored two goals, the first an exceptional volley of incredible technique and the second a neat finish. Tirelessly ran channels all game.

• 
  9

  1

  3.50

  Sebastian Giovinco

  Charged with the dropping deep between the lines but squeezed out by the swarms of Northern Irish players. Missed an excellent chance to make it 4-0 but still impressed.

Substitutions

• 
  3

  0

  0.00

  Morgan De Sanctis

  Did very little in his brief appearance.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Antonio Nocerino

  Picked up where Aquilani left off.

• 
  2

  2

  3.00

  Pablo Daniel Osvaldo

  Showed a willingness to attack but was frequently outnumbered and outmuscled.

Northern Ireland

2.58

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Maik Taylor

  Made some smart saves and had little chance with the goals he conceded. Most probably his final international game after a long career.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Lee Hodson

  Did well against Giovinco as he ran the channels but struggled when he received support from deep.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Ryan McGivern

  Had one of his side's best chances with a set-piece header but caught out of position for Cassano's first.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Gareth McAuley

  An own goal that he could do little about but otherwise did well considering there was a lot of work to do.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Chris Baird

  Experience was vital in a young team but quality shone through in the end as well as some pace which caused Baird issues over the first few yards.

• 
  2

  3

  2.00

  Oliver Norwood Flop of the Match

  A fairly anonymous performance from the Manchester United academy product, but difficult to blame him given the level of opposition.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Steven Davis

  The most experienced member of the midfield and head and shoulders above his young colleagues. Whilst he was at the heart of everything good they did going forward, they didn't do a lot.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Corry Evans

  An auxiliary central defender in the most part, but bypassed too easily on some occasions.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  J. Gorman

  The youngster was thrown in at the deep end having not made a league appearance for his club Wolves, and despite an impressive work-rate in defence, he had little chance to shine in attack.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Andrew Little

  Similar to Gorman, helped out well at the back but didn't get many opportunities to create anything in attacking situations.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  David Healy

  Toiled away thanklessly up front and got very little change out of a top-class defence. Replaced by Warren Feeney in the second half.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Conor McLaughlin

  Had little time or opportunity to make an impact given the match situation but certainly an experience for McLaughlin.

• 
  0

  0

  0.00

  Niall McGinn

  A tricky winger on his day but with so few opportunities to test the full back, he was reduced to being a secondary defender himself as Italy dominated.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Warren Feeney

  Performed the same role as Healy and with identical reward. Chiellini was just too good for both of them.