Italy impressive in 3-1 friendly win over Portugal

Italy turned on the style to beat Portugal 3-1 with goals from Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella in an entertaining friendly on Wednesday. Toni slid home his 15th goal for the world champions on the stroke of halftime after Portugal...

Italy turned on the style to beat Portugal 3-1 with goals from Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella in an entertaining friendly on Wednesday.

Toni slid home his 15th goal for the world champions on the stroke of halftime after Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo allowed Fabio Grosso's low cross to slip through his fingers and reach the Bayern Munich striker at the far post.

Andrea Pirlo's shot from the edge of the box then took a deflection off his captain Cannavaro before going in at the near post five minutes after the break.

Winger Ricardo Quaresma shone for Portugal and was rewarded when he blasted the ball home in the 77th minute before substitute Quagliarella netted Italy's third from close range only moments after coming on.

Both sides had a host of other chances in a flowing contest that bodes well for their Euro 2008 campaigns in Austria and Switzerland in June.

Picture: Italy's Toni is congratulated by his team mate Palladino after he scored during a friendly soccer match against Portugal in Zurich's Letzigrund stadium.

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