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Played
June 3, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Stadio Alberto Braglia — Modena
Referee: A. Tudor
Attendance: 19434
June 3, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Stadio Alberto Braglia — Modena
Referee: A. Tudor
Attendance: 19434
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| Italy | 1.14 | 1.00 | 1.14 | 1.15 | 0.00 | 1.14 |
| Draw | 7.50 | 56.00 | 7.00 | 7.50 | 300.00 | 7.90 |
| Estonia | 19.00 | 81.00 | 19.00 | 12.50 | 900.00 | 20.00 |
Top of the Match
Giuseppe Rossi
Italy
Italy
Giuseppe Rossi
Italy
Italy
Flop of the Match
Raio Piiroja
Estonia
Estonia
Taijo Teniste
Estonia
Estonia
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Italy 3-0 Estonia: Rossi, Cassano & Pazzini strike as Azzurri cruise to easy win
The front line were on fire for Cesare Prandelli's side as they moved to within two wins of a place in the Euro 2012 finals with a crushing victory over the Balkan side
By Kris Voakes
Getty Images
Italy trounced Estonia 3-0 in Modena on Friday night to remain in complete control of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C.
Goals from Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini were the least Cesare Prandelli's men deserved after a thoroughly dominant performance which left the northern Europeans chasing shadows for most of the game.
It was a chastening experience for the minnows as the 1968 European champions took them apart almost from the first minute.
The victory sends Prandelli's side five points clear of second-placed Slovenia with a game in hand four matches from the end of the campaign, meaning just two more victories will be enough to send them to Poland and Ukraine in a year's time. Estonia, meanwhile, have a steep climb ahead of them as they now sit four points off a possible play-off spot.
Goals from Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini were the least Cesare Prandelli's men deserved after a thoroughly dominant performance which left the northern Europeans chasing shadows for most of the game.
It was a chastening experience for the minnows as the 1968 European champions took them apart almost from the first minute.
Italy were the better side early on and Cassano had their best two chances, both in the right channel, but he made things too easy for keeper Sergei Pareiko on both occasions.
Alberto Aquilani thought he had given the Azzurri the lead when his header from Andrea Pirlo’s deflected cross escaped Pareiko’s grasp, but he was penalised for grabbing the shirt of Raio Piroja.
The keeper was eventually beaten in the 21st minute when Cassano put in Giuseppe Rossi on the left, and after a couple of neat touches helped him get the ball out of his feet, the Villarreal man fired low into the far corner to give Italy the lead.
Rossi nearly doubled the home side's advantage when he unleashed from distance, but the ball cannoned back off the post with the overworked Pareiko scrambling across. Antonio Cassano did grab the second though shortly before half-time when he collected Riccardo Montolivo’s touch, rolled Sander Puri and struck low off the far post.
Three and easy | Rossi opens the floodgates for Italy in Modena
It was 3-0 soon after though as Giampaolo Pazzini broke away on the end of Montolivo’s lofted pass and, with Pareiko back-pedalling, took his time before slotting home.
After 88 minutes of inactivity, Gianluigi Buffon was finally forced into action when Martin Vunk unleashed a cracking drive from 30 yards, but the Azzurri skipper watched it all the way and held on superbly.The victory sends Prandelli's side five points clear of second-placed Slovenia with a game in hand four matches from the end of the campaign, meaning just two more victories will be enough to send them to Poland and Ukraine in a year's time. Estonia, meanwhile, have a steep climb ahead of them as they now sit four points off a possible play-off spot.
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fernando Torres Striker Chelsea |
3 | 0 |
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Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
3 | 0 |
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Mario Gomez Striker Bayern |
3 | 0 |
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Mario Balotelli Striker Milan |
3 | 0 |
|
Mario Mandzukic Striker Bayern |
3 | 0 |
