November 16, (THEWILL) – Italy defeated Albania 3-1 in a friendly on Wednesday, in Tirana, thanks to a double from Vincenzo Grifo and the equalising goal from Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
After losing to North Macedonia in the World Cup play-off, Roberto Mancini’s team would not be attending the competition in Qatar, and they appeared headed for yet another humiliating loss when Ardian Ismajli nodded Albania ahead.
However, Italy quickly responded with Di Lorenzo, and Grifo added goals just before and just after halftime to complete the comeback and seal the triumph.
The European champions have now won three straight games since being humiliated 5-2 by Germany in June as they attempt to recover from their World Cup misery.
