International Wrap: Italy Thrash Germany, England At The Death

On a fascinating night of international football in which competition for squad selection for the forthcoming World Cup elevated the games above the usual level of friendlies, Italy fired an impressive warning – not only to hosts Germany but also to the other 30 hopefuls – with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Jurgen Klinsmann s side. In a surprisingly one-sided game in Fiorentina, the Azzurri scored twice in the first seven minutes through Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni. Daniele De Rossi headed a third before half-time, and Alessandro Del Piero also netted before Robert Huth got a late consolation for the Germans. Elsewhere, persistent England came from behind to break Uruguay s excellent resistance with two late goals – the winner in the third minute of injury time from man-of-the-match Joe Cole – after Omar Pouso had opened he scoring for Uruguay I the 26th minute with a sensational 30 yard volley as John Terry headed clear from a corner. Substitute Peter Crouch headed a deserved equaliser from a Cole cross before another substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips, produced a fine cross from the right wing for Cole to sweep home at the near post. A somewhat fortunate first-half goal by Ronaldo gave Brazil a 1-0 win in their World Cup warm-up match against Russia in Moscow.Roberto Carlos saw his shot deflected off Ronaldo and past Russian keeper Igo Akinfeyev after 15 minutes to settle the game. But Brazil s South American rivals Argentina went down 2-3 to Croatia in a thriller. Ivan Klasnic put Croatia ahead but Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi replied for the Albiceleste before Darijo Srna brought Croatia level. Then Darijo Simic found a late header to clinch he game for the Croats. Manchester United s winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals in each half as Portugal eased to a 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.Ronaldo headed the opener then netted with a low shot. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Maniche scored Portugal s other goal. Umit Karan scored twice in the last three minutes as Turkey fought back to draw 2-2 with the Czech Republic. The Turks trailed to a Karel Poborsky penalty and Jiri Stajner made it two before substitute Karan came up with his dramatic brace. Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal in Holland s 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Amsterdam. Kuyt was given a start because Ruud van Nistelrooy was suffering from stomach ache, and he took full advantage by slotting home Arjen Robben s cross. The USA pulled off a triumph against Poland in Kaiserslautern, winning 1-0 as Clint Dempsey headed home Eddie Lewis s cross from close range in a snowstorm. Steve Staunton got his career as the Republic of Ireland s manager off to a tremendous start with a 3-0 victory over World Cup-bound Sweden in Dublin. Damien Duff, new captain Robbie Keane and Liam Miller scored the goals for the buoyant Irish. Scotland s inability to win at Hampden continued, as they went down 3-1 to Switzerland, for whom TranquilloBarnetta and Daniel Gygax scored in the first half. Kenny Miller pulled one back for the Scots before Ricardo Cabanas made the game safe for the Swiss. France s unbeaten run came to a halt as Slovakia pulled off a 2-1 victory with goals from Szilard Nemeth and Valachovic either side of a Sylvain Wiltord penalty. A five-goal thriller in Spain ended 3-2 in favour of the hosts against Ivory Coast, for whom Keita opened he scoring after 13 minutes. David Villa equalized 10 minutes later, but Bonaventure Kalou restored the Elephants lead immediately after half-time. It stayed that way until 17 minutes from time when Jose Antonio Reyes hauled Spain level again. Then Juanito got the winner with four minutes remaining. Other results: Iran 3-2 Costa Rica South Korea 1-0 Angola Cyprus 2-0 Armenia Slovenia 0-2 Romania FYRO Macedonia 0-1 Bulgaria Albania 1-2 Lithuania Finland 2-2 Belarus Kazakhstan 0-2 Greece Senegal 2-1 Norway Malta 0-2 Georgia Tunisia 0-1 Serbia & Montenegro Israel 0-2 Denmark Luxembourg 0-2 Belgium Austria 0-2 Canada Northern Ireland 1-0 Estonia Wales 0-0 Paraguay