Four days after securing FIFA World Cup qualification with a last-gasp Alberto Gilardino equaliser in the Republic of Ireland, the striker's late hat-trick earned Italy a dramatic victory against Cyprus, as the Azzurri fought back from two down.Marcello Lippi changed the entire Italy starting line-up from the 2-2 draw in Ireland and the Group 8 winners fell behind to goals by Yiannis Okkas and Chrysostomous Michail. However, in the final 12 minutes Gilardino turned the game around.
The visitors broke the deadlock at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma with only their second real chance. Okkas collected a Konstantinos Makridis cross from the left flank and beat Federico Marchetti at the far post.
Italy created chances through Fabio Quagliarella and Simone Pepe, but Cyprus found the net again four minutes after the break with Michail's half-volley from inside the box.
Cyprus were on course to recording a shock win against the world champions, but that all changed after Gilardino headed in substitute Mauro Camoranesi's cross from the right.
Three minutes later the Fiorentina striker struck again, volleying in from short range.
Italy beat Cyprus in their away qualifier with a last-gasp Antonio Di Natale strike, and Gilardino ensured history repeated itself as he got the final touch after Quagliarella's shot from the right deflected off a defender.
The Azzurri, who will next play a friendly match with the Netherlands in Pescara on 14 November, will find out who they will play in the World Cup finals in South Africa when the draw is made on 4 December.
Group 8 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Bulgaria 6-2 Georgia
Italy 3-2 Cyprus
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Montenegro
Group 8 Standings:
[1] ITA - PLD: 10 - PTS: 24
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[2] IRE - PLD: 10 - PTS: 18
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[3] BUL - PLD: 10 - PTS: 14
[4] CYP - PLD: 10 - PTS: 09
[5] MON - PLD: 10 - PTS: 09
[6] GEO - PLD: 10 - PTS: 03
Group 1 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Denmark 0-1 Hungary
Portugal 4-0 Malta
Sweden 4-1 Albania
Group 2 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Greece 2-1 Luxembourg
Latvia 3-2 Moldova
Switzerland 0-0 Israel
Group 3 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Czech Republic 0-0 Northern Ireland
Poland 0-1 Slovakia
San Marino 0-3 Slovenia
Group 4 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Azerbaijan 1-1 Russia
Germany 1-1 Finland
Liechtenstein 0-2 Wales
Group 5 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-5 Spain
Estonia 2-0 Belgium
Turkey 2-0 Armenia
Group 6 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
Andorra 0-6 Ukraine
England 3-0 Belarus
Kazakhstan 1-2 Croatia
Group 7 Results:
Wednesday 14 October
France 3-1 Austria
Lithuania 2-1 Serbia
Romania 3-1 Faroe Islands
World Cup qualifiers so far:
Saturday 15 May 2004
South Africa (Africa 2010 Hosts).
Saturday 6 June 2009
Japan (Asia Round 4 Group 1), Australia (Asia Round 4 Group 1), South Korea (Asia Round 4 Group 2), Netherlands (Europe Group 9).
Wednesday 17 June 2009
North Korea (Asia Round 4 Group 2).
Saturday 5 September 2009
Brazil (South America).
Sunday 6 September 2009
Ghana (Africa Group D).
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Spain (Europe Group 5), England (Europe Group 6), Paraguay (South America).
Saturday 10 October 2009
Ivory Coast (Africa Group E), Germany (Europe Group 4), Denmark (Europe Group 1), Serbia (Europe Group 7), Italy (Europe Group 8), Chile (South America), Mexico (Concacaf), USA (Concacaf).
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Switzerland (Europe Group 2), Slovakia (Europe Group 3), Argentina (South America), Honduras (Concacaf).
European play-offs:
Saturday 10 October 2009
Russia (Europe Group 4), Bosnia-Herzegovina (Europe Group 5), France (Europe Group 7), Republic of Ireland (Europe Group 8).
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Ukraine (Europe Group 6), Greece (Europe Group 2), Slovenia (Europe Group 3), Portugal (Europe Group 1).
Source: UEFA
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