SAN FRANCISCO, November 11, (THEWILL) –Â Vincenzo Grifo scored his debut international goals for Italy as they stretched their unbeaten streak to 20 games with a 4-0 friendly win over Estonia at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday.
The Azzurri have won 15 of their 20 matches since a 1-0 Nations League loss to Portugal in September 2018. On Wednesday, they never looked in danger of tasting defeat against a side 97 places beneath them in the FIFA rankings.
With Italian team coach still Roberto Mancini self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus, Alberico Evani took charge for the fixture.
Freiburg’s forward Grifo marked his fourth appearance for Italy with a sumptuous opener. He whipped a half-volley in off Marko Meerits’ left-hand post from 25 yards after a lay-off by Kevin Lasagna.
An unmarked Lasagna missed a glorious chance to double the advantage soon after. The Udinese forward failed to make a clean connection with Federico Bernardeschi’s teasing cross from close range.
Italy’s complete dominance of affairs was rewarded shortly before the half-hour mark. It was Bernardeschi who took matters into his own hand this time. He cut in from the right to bend a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area. It marked his first international goal since October 2019.
Defender Emerson Palmieri lashed wide following an incisive move on the edge of the penalty area after the interval, while Grifo saw an effort deflected narrowly wide.
But Grifo got his second in the 75th minute when he thumped home from the penalty spot after Inter’s Roberto Gagliardini was tripped inside the penalty area by substitute Georgi Tunjov.
Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini then wrapped up the scoring in the 86th minute, sweeping home his second international goal from the spot too after forcing Henri Jarvelaid into a rash challenge in the area.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
