• Italy's Moise Kean applauds the crowd during the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C qualifier against Lituania at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy. EPA
    Italy's Moise Kean applauds the crowd during the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C qualifier against Lituania at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy. EPA
  • Italy forward Giacomo Raspadori is challenged by Lithuania's Arvydas Novikovas. AFP
    Italy forward Giacomo Raspadori is challenged by Lithuania's Arvydas Novikovas. AFP
  • Moise Kean of Italy scores against Lithuania at Mapei Stadium. Getty
    Moise Kean of Italy scores against Lithuania at Mapei Stadium. Getty
  • Giacomo Raspadori of Italy is challenged by Benas Satkus of Lithuania. Getty Images
    Giacomo Raspadori of Italy is challenged by Benas Satkus of Lithuania. Getty Images
  • REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 08: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Italy and Lithuania at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 08, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani / Getty Images)
    REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 08: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Italy and Lithuania at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 08, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani / Getty Images)
  • Italy's forward Giacomo Raspadori celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
    Italy's forward Giacomo Raspadori celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
  • Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
    Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
  • Moise Kean of Italy battles for possession with Edgaras Utkus of Lithuania. Getty Images
    Moise Kean of Italy battles for possession with Edgaras Utkus of Lithuania. Getty Images
  • Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo is challenged by Lithuania's Donatas Kazlauskas. AFP
    Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo is challenged by Lithuania's Donatas Kazlauskas. AFP
  • Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy in action. Getty Images
    Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy in action. Getty Images

Moise Kean twice on target as Italy make it 37 games unbeaten - in pictures


Steve Luckings
Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Play/Pause English
  • Play/Pause Arabic
Bookmark

Impressive Italy eased past Lithuania 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday to extend their record unbeaten run to 37.

Roberto Mancini's European champions became the first Italian side to reach the half-hour mark four goals to the good.

Juventus's young Everton recruit Moise Kean got the Group C leaders off the mark early, pouncing on a sloppy back-pass by Arvydas Novikovas to his keeper Ernestas Setkus.

Minutes later Giacomo Raspadori, on his international debut at his club Sassuolo's home ground in Reggio Emilia, watched as his shot took a deflection off Edgaras Utkus for an own goal.

After a bright start Lithuania were back in familiar territory, staring at defeat.

Raspadori, no doubt disappointed not to have his name beside that goal, did not have to wait too long for that honour with a confident close-range finish after defender Justas Lasickas failed to clear Giovanni Di Lorenzo's low cross.

On 29 minutes Kean connected with Federico Bernardeschi's lobbed pass and conjured up a superb left-footed volley.

Italy's fifth came from an unusual source with Di Lorenzo opening his account for his country with what started out as a right-footed cross to the back post and ended up in the back of the net.

Mancini had made a host of changes from the side that was held goalless in Switzerland on Sunday, with 21-year-olds Kean and Raspadori underlining the strength in depth the continental champions enjoy.

Italy top their group after six matches on 14 points from Switzerland on eight points but with two games in hand.

Updated: September 09, 2021, 7:44 AM