Italy scored five goals in its 2018 World Cup qualifier victory against Liechtenstein on Sunday at the Stadio Friuli as the Azzurri look to get closer to Spain's goal differential in Group G.
Winger Antonio Candreva blasted a volley into the back of the net just two minutes into the game, but he was ruled offside on the pass from Lorenzo Insigne.
Candreva's strike was not the only offensive action as Italy dominated possession throughout the first half and created multiple chances. Ciro Immobile failed to convert on a few chances and Insigne also had a few opportunities he could have done better with,
The Italians took awhile to break through, but it was Insigne's involvement in the attack that foreshadowed an incoming goal for the Azzurri. The Napoli man broke the deadlock in the 35th minute after a Leonardo Spinazzola pass reached him in the box and Insigne controlled the ball off his chest and onto his foot for a curling strike. Insigne's shot rattled off of the far post to give Italy the 1-0 advantage.
Liechtenstein's Michele Polverino had his side's best chance of the half and entire match just before Insigne's strike. Polverino unleashed a strong strike from about 30 yards, but the ball sailed wide of Gianluigi Buffon and the post.
The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Italy, and the second consisted of more of the same only with more goals from the Azzurri.
Insigne added to his stat-sheet with an assist to Andrea Belotti seven minutes into the start of the half. Il Gallo curled his shot past Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter extend the lead to 2-0.
Italy continued to dominate possession throughout the half and then the side's three substitutes made contributions with a goal each.
Inter's Éder Martins came on for Immobile in the 67th minute. Eder scored a goal that was ruled offside just minutes before he scored in the 74th minute after getting his foot on the ball that was perfectly placed by Belotti.
Federico Bernardeschi added to Italy's goal tally with a smash from the edge of the penalty box into the bottom-left corner of the net just nine minutes later.
The European powerhouse showed that it wasn't asserting its dominance when it added a fifth goal in injury time. Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini scored a tap-in into the near post when a cross was drilled into the box in the 91st minute to cap a 5-0 victory.
Insigne's play throughout the match earned him the Man-of-the-Match title as he continued to look dangerous and contributed to his teammates until the final whistle blew, aside from his goal and assist.
The 5-0 result for Italy was expected as the side has much more quality than its opponents. However, the five goals are also important because Italy is trying to gain ground on Spain's goal differential.
Italy and Spain are tied with 16 points as both countries have five wins and drew against each other in WC qualifying play. However, Spain has a goal differential of 18 and the Azzurri a differential of 14. Therefore, Spain would take the qualification spot if qualifying was to end today, which is the reason why the amount of goals Italy scores is important.
Italy and Spain will face off in a couple of months on September 2 where the winner will get a step closer to stamping their name into the 2018 World C