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Italy vs Finland. European Championship Qualifying Group J.

FriuliAttendance24,000.

Italy 2

  • N Barella (7th minute)
  • M Kean (74th minute)

Finland 0

    Italy 2-0 Finland: Moise Kean on target as Azzurri make light work of Scandinavians

    Watch highlights as Roberto Mancini's men record routine win in Udine

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    Highlights from Group J in the European Qualifier between Italy and Finland

    Nicolo Barella and Moise Kean scored in either half as Italy launched their European Qualifiers campaign with a 2-0 win against Finland in Udine.

    Barella gave Italy a flying start at the Friuli Stadium by opening the scoring in the seventh minute and Juventus winger Kean's effort in the second period sealed the victory.

    Barella struck with a deflected shot from outside the penalty area following a half-cleared free-kick. It was the Cagliari midfielder's first goal for his country.

    Moise Kean scored as Italy secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Finland
    Image: Moise Kean scored as Italy secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Finland

    Italy's Group J opponents Finland, promoted from the third tier of the UEFA Nations League last year, were not short of confidence.

    The Scandinavians rode the early storm and grew into the game, looking every bit as comfortable on the ball as their hosts.

    Italy were content to stretch their opponents on the break and in teenager Kean they had the first half's most dangerous player.

    Nicolo Barella's deflected strike gives Italy the lead in Udine on Saturday
    Image: Nicolo Barella's deflected strike gives Italy the lead in Udine on Saturday

    Kean set up Cristiano Piccini, who fired wide, while Federico Bernardeschi's effort from outside the area was off target.

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    But Italy were also found wanting with their final ball on the edge of the penalty area, with clear-cut chances at a premium.

    Finland mustered the first effort on goal in the second period when Norwich striker Teemu Pukki's shot was blocked.

    Pukki, leading goalscorer in the Sky Bet Championship this season, spurned Finland's best chance in the 65th minute when he misdirected Robin Lod's cross.

    Kean shows his poacher's instinct to double the hosts' lead
    Image: Kean shows his poacher's instinct to double the hosts' lead

    Finland continued to press for an equaliser with 20 minutes left, but Kean struck a second, decisive goal for Italy in the 74th minute.

    Ciro Immobile provided a fine through-ball and Keane ran on before firing home, left-footed, into the bottom corner.

    Italy had a strong penalty appeal waved away soon after when Kean appeared to be fouled by Sauli Vaisanen and substitute Fabio Quagliarella's header was brilliantly saved by Lukas Hradecky.

    Quagliarella clipped the crossbar with a rising drive in the closing stages as Italy settled for a deserved 2-0 success.

    Italy will aim for back-to-back wins when they play Liechtenstein in Parma on Tuesday, while Finland play Armenia away on the same day.

    Follow all of Sunday's Euro 2020 Qualifiers live on Sky Sports Football from 2pm and via our live match blogs on SkySports.com

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