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EURO 2008 QUALIFICATIONS Group B RESULT: SCOTLAND 1 - 2 ITALY Goals by Barry Ferguson and for Italy Luca Toni and Christian Panucci "Italy Broke the Record and Won in Scotland"
By Anna Italia
SCOTLAND 1 - 2 ITALY 
64' Barry Ferguson 1' Luca Toni
90' Christian Panucci
SUBSTITUTIONS: 74' Scott Brown out, Kenny Miller in 68' Antonio Di Natale out, Vincenzo Iaquinta in
92' Lee McCulloch out, Boyd in 82' Mauro Camoranesi out, Giorgio Chiellini in
87' Gennaro Gattuso out, Daniele De Rossi in
EURO 2008 GROUP B Standing: Scotland 3rd position, 24 points
AFTER the match. Italy 1st position, 26 points
The challenge for Italy is to win in Scotland and break historical records that Italy cannot pass to the European Competition after winning the FIFA World Cup. Certainly, the "catenaccio" will not work here, but an offensive formation. It's all about attacking, not defending if Italy wants to beat Scotland. Will Italy Head Coach Roberto Donadoni find the right formation to accomplish the challenge?
The moment of truth arrived for Italy, either win or win. For Scotland, it is the most important match in their history. Their challenge is to beat the World Cup Champions and not allow Italy to win in Scotland.
Everything is ready, the stadium to the top! Players ready to give all they have.
Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez from Spain whistles the beginning of the great match, the battle for survival.
The challenge is for Italy to start with a great attack.
What a great way to start the match with a goal in the 1st minute and 10 seconds!
Forward Luca Toni takes the lead and blasted Scotland goalkeeper Gordon sending the ball straight to the roof of the net after a great pass from Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale from inside the area.
Scotland 0 - 1 Italy
This is what Italy needs.. Show determination, character, precision,
the drive to go all the way since the beginning to score fast without
relying later to defend a single goal.
In the 10th minute Antonio Di Natale sends a shot but it is cleared. Two minutes later, Luca Toni tries a shot that goes straight to the net and cleared by Scotland goalkeeper Gordon without problem. This was a bad move from Luca Toni, instead of shooting straight, he could have passed the ball to Antonio Di Natale who was unmarked.
In the 11th minute, Antonio Di Natale makes a great shot to the net but Scotland goalkeeper Gordon makes a save. The battle is on and the Italians seem determined to change the records and win this match. Two minutes later, and there you go... Luca Toni delivers a powerful shot and again, Gordon denies Italy the second goal.
In the 13th minute, Italy gets a corner kick, Pirlo shoots but the ball goes straight to the arms of the goalkeeper. Good effort Pirlo! Come on guys, come on, you can do it.
In the first 15 minutes, Italy dominates the match. The team displays great technique and determination while Scotland seems losing concentration. Although the stadium was almost a one voice support for Scotland, Italians seem to get energized with those chants.
Just a great match! Although it is cold and raining, both teams are determined to win. Yet, Italy is the one showing more concentration. Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is even wearing a cap! Fans are cheering without feeling neither the rain nor the cold weather.
Few Italian fans believing in the miracle and cheering for Antonio Di Natale!
The Milan Combo are doing a superb job in the midfield, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, and Massimo Ambrosini display great football technique when having the ball. Doubt was whether Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni was going to choose between Ambrosini and Daniele De Rossi. It seems Donadoni made the right decision by choosing Ambrosini because he is doing a great job.
Things are getting hard. Scotland seems to take control of the match and in the 16th minute, Ferguson missed a clear opportunity to equalize the match. It's time for Italy to concentrate again and not allow space to Scotland. This will be dangerous. No wonder Gigi Buffon gets upset and encourage the defense to regain control.
Let's highlight the great performance of Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli.
In the 17th minute, Scotland gets a corner kick, and thanks God for Gianluca Zambrotta. He clears the ball. Scotland keeps pressuring the Italians.
Time for Italy to react and control the match again.
Italy gets back to the match, although the first half ends.
So far, Italy is reaching the goal which is to win, period.
Time for both coaches to refresh ideas. Who will come with the winning strategy in the second half?
Will Roberto Donadoni find the magic formula to beat Scotland or will it be Coach McLeish to deliver the victory and end Italy's dream of making it to the EURO 2008?
In the 65th minute, Scotland captain Barry Ferguson equalized the score. The entire stadium explodes and Coach McLeish jumps from joy, while Italians are in shock.
Wow, this goal either motivates the Italians or once again Italy won't be able to win in Scotland.
Scotland 1 - 1 Italy.
Now, the challenge is for both teams. Who can show the character to get the winning goal. Will it be Scotland with their great fan support? Will it be Italy with their motivation to clean Italian's football image? Can Italy break the record of not winning in Scotland? We will see...
The surprise is not seeing any changes from Scotland yet. Surprising how Coach Alex McLeish preferred to start the match with Forward James McFadden as the main striker instead of Kenny Miller.
Just in the 80th minute, it seems Scotland might take the lead with McFadden. Miller sends a pass to McFadden, who, luckily for Italy, missed a clear chance to deliver the winning goal.
Then, it was the time for AS Roma Defender Christian Panucci to miss the chance to deliver the winning goal. After Andrea Pirlo's free kick, Panucci heads the ball but wide... and there it was bye bye or ciao ciao goal...
Yes, no more, this is it.
Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez whistles the end of the match.It is over.... Italy accomplished the challenge. ITALY WON IN SCOTLAND!!!! Party time... Italy breaks the historical record!!!!!
Italian Head Coach Roberto Donadoni found the right formation to beat Scotland and accomplished the goal with flying colors. The two main doubts were about choosing Massimo Oddo or Panucci, then, which forwards to choose to play with Luca Toni? Right selection was done with Antonio Di Natale.
This time in the scale of 1 to 10, I will give Donadoni's formation a perfect 10.
SCOTLAND 1 - 2 ITALY 64' Barry Ferguson 1' Luca Toni
90' Christian Panucci
SUBSTITUTIONS: 74' Scott Brown out, Kenny Miller in 68' Antonio Di Natale out, Vincenzo Iaquinta in
92' Lee McCulloch out, Boyd in 82' Mauro Camoranesi out, Giorgio Chiellini in
87' Gennaro Gattuso out, Daniele De Rossi in
EURO 2008 GROUP B Standing: Scotland 3rd position, 24 points
AFTER the match. Italy 1st position, 26 points
The challenge for Italy is to win in Scotland and break historical records that Italy cannot pass to the European Competition after winning the FIFA World Cup. Certainly, the "catenaccio" will not work here, but an offensive formation. It's all about attacking, not defending if Italy wants to beat Scotland. Will Italy Head Coach Roberto Donadoni find the right formation to accomplish the challenge?
The moment of truth arrived for Italy, either win or win. For Scotland, it is the most important match in their history. Their challenge is to beat the World Cup Champions and not allow Italy to win in Scotland.
Everything is ready, the stadium to the top! Players ready to give all they have.
Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez from Spain whistles the beginning of the great match, the battle for survival.
The challenge is for Italy to start with a great attack.
What a great way to start the match with a goal in the 1st minute and 10 seconds!
Forward Luca Toni takes the lead and blasted Scotland goalkeeper Gordon sending the ball straight to the roof of the net after a great pass from Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale from inside the area. Scotland 0 - 1 Italy
This is what Italy needs.. Show determination, character, precision,
the drive to go all the way since the beginning to score fast without
relying later to defend a single goal. In the 10th minute Antonio Di Natale sends a shot but it is cleared. Two minutes later, Luca Toni tries a shot that goes straight to the net and cleared by Scotland goalkeeper Gordon without problem. This was a bad move from Luca Toni, instead of shooting straight, he could have passed the ball to Antonio Di Natale who was unmarked.
In the 11th minute, Antonio Di Natale makes a great shot to the net but Scotland goalkeeper Gordon makes a save. The battle is on and the Italians seem determined to change the records and win this match. Two minutes later, and there you go... Luca Toni delivers a powerful shot and again, Gordon denies Italy the second goal.
In the 13th minute, Italy gets a corner kick, Pirlo shoots but the ball goes straight to the arms of the goalkeeper. Good effort Pirlo! Come on guys, come on, you can do it.
In the first 15 minutes, Italy dominates the match. The team displays great technique and determination while Scotland seems losing concentration. Although the stadium was almost a one voice support for Scotland, Italians seem to get energized with those chants.
Just a great match! Although it is cold and raining, both teams are determined to win. Yet, Italy is the one showing more concentration. Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is even wearing a cap! Fans are cheering without feeling neither the rain nor the cold weather.
Few Italian fans believing in the miracle and cheering for Antonio Di Natale!
The Milan Combo are doing a superb job in the midfield, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, and Massimo Ambrosini display great football technique when having the ball. Doubt was whether Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni was going to choose between Ambrosini and Daniele De Rossi. It seems Donadoni made the right decision by choosing Ambrosini because he is doing a great job.
Things are getting hard. Scotland seems to take control of the match and in the 16th minute, Ferguson missed a clear opportunity to equalize the match. It's time for Italy to concentrate again and not allow space to Scotland. This will be dangerous. No wonder Gigi Buffon gets upset and encourage the defense to regain control.
Let's highlight the great performance of Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli. In the 17th minute, Scotland gets a corner kick, and thanks God for Gianluca Zambrotta. He clears the ball. Scotland keeps pressuring the Italians.
Time for Italy to react and control the match again.
Italy gets back to the match, although the first half ends.
So far, Italy is reaching the goal which is to win, period.
Time for both coaches to refresh ideas. Who will come with the winning strategy in the second half?
Will Roberto Donadoni find the magic formula to beat Scotland or will it be Coach McLeish to deliver the victory and end Italy's dream of making it to the EURO 2008?
In the 65th minute, Scotland captain Barry Ferguson equalized the score. The entire stadium explodes and Coach McLeish jumps from joy, while Italians are in shock. Wow, this goal either motivates the Italians or once again Italy won't be able to win in Scotland.
Scotland 1 - 1 Italy.
Now, the challenge is for both teams. Who can show the character to get the winning goal. Will it be Scotland with their great fan support? Will it be Italy with their motivation to clean Italian's football image? Can Italy break the record of not winning in Scotland? We will see...
The surprise is not seeing any changes from Scotland yet. Surprising how Coach Alex McLeish preferred to start the match with Forward James McFadden as the main striker instead of Kenny Miller.
It is up to Italy's forwards right now to profit from the midfield and convert opportunities of goals. Midfielder Mauro Camoranesi showing great football technique and Antonio Di Natale with Luca Toni proving to be great driving force.
Just in the 80th minute, it seems Scotland might take the lead with McFadden. Miller sends a pass to McFadden, who, luckily for Italy, missed a clear chance to deliver the winning goal.
Then, it was the time for AS Roma Defender Christian Panucci to miss the chance to deliver the winning goal. After Andrea Pirlo's free kick, Panucci heads the ball but wide... and there it was bye bye or ciao ciao goal...
This is not over yet.
Few minutes later, Panucci has the time of his life to redeem himself. While Italy keeps pressing, fighting with all their strength, in the 90th minute, and the scenario repeats. Andrea Pirlo sends a free kick, Panucci like being lifted by the angels rise above WEIR to head the ball at the far post giving Italy the winning goal. Goalkeeper Gordon is just dismayed, the Stadium suddenly got a colder shower, but Italians get a warm joy. Finally, ITALY is winning in Scotland...
Scotland 1 - 2 Italy.Few minutes later, Panucci has the time of his life to redeem himself. While Italy keeps pressing, fighting with all their strength, in the 90th minute, and the scenario repeats. Andrea Pirlo sends a free kick, Panucci like being lifted by the angels rise above WEIR to head the ball at the far post giving Italy the winning goal. Goalkeeper Gordon is just dismayed, the Stadium suddenly got a colder shower, but Italians get a warm joy. Finally, ITALY is winning in Scotland...
Yes, no more, this is it. Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez whistles the end of the match.It is over.... Italy accomplished the challenge. ITALY WON IN SCOTLAND!!!! Party time... Italy breaks the historical record!!!!!
Italian Head Coach Roberto Donadoni found the right formation to beat Scotland and accomplished the goal with flying colors. The two main doubts were about choosing Massimo Oddo or Panucci, then, which forwards to choose to play with Luca Toni? Right selection was done with Antonio Di Natale.
This time in the scale of 1 to 10, I will give Donadoni's formation a perfect 10.
I agree NO CATENACCIO but attack and attack, i think it will be the best for Italy but make sure our defense won't relax. I think Kenntak like the catenaccio a more defensive formation or is it you Anna?
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Pietro I like the Catenaccio but only after having scored at least 2 goals, not only one. However, when playing against England, Scotland, and France, I rather see a more offensive formation because they play fast, contrary to the "slow Italian rhythm." This is why Donadoni lost the first matches because Italy was playing too slow. Not sure if you agree with me.. let me know.
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This is crazy, Italy scored in less than 2 minutes, Anna, this is a paradise let's keepp it that way
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Pietro I know... this is madness, I am going nutssssss... FORZA ITALIAAAAAAAAAAAAA
GO ITALIAAAAA
Let's keep cheering and praying for Italy's victory! Luca Toni is superb, Milan combo midfielders the best!
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what a colder shower for italy, Scotland equalized the match!
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It's OVERRRRRRR R ITALIA ha vintooooo!!!! ITALIA WON!!!! WE BREAK THE RECORD AND FINALLY WON IN SCOTLAND in the very last minute 90th!!! with PANUCCIIIIIIIIIIII
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Pietro just remembered about our discussion with you, Kenntak, and Milan 99 about my selection of PANUCCI over ODDO. You see... I was right! Panucci played terrific, except for the single mistake when missing the chance to score. Yet, few minutes later HE REDEEMED HIMSELF and now we are in paradise with Panucci's winning goal!!!!
Just terrific! FEEL SO HAPPY because I knew "technically speaking," that Panucci was sharper than Oddo in the last period. Sure, this might change in the future. But for this match, the man to choose was PANUCCI.
Any comments?
Ahhhhhhh WHERE IS KENNTAK I wonder how was his son soccer match?
Milan99 where are youuuuuuuu? I'm going ballroom dancing to celebrate and will wear a tight top with the big name in front "ITALIA".
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Hey everyone, I just got done watching the recorded game. Fantastic, PANUCCI scores the winner!!! Scotland is devastated because if it were a draw they still had a chance but they lost out in stoppage time. Anna, good choice with Panucci.
As for the game, I thought Scotland would put more pressure on Italy in the first half and they did not. They looked a bit nervous and Italy scoring that first goal did not help them. However, they came back in the second half and really pressured Italy. In any event, Scotland's goal was definitely offsides, certainly more offsides than the one that Italy had taken away. What do you think?
Let's celebrate.
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I saw the game- it was on at 9am here. Yeah Scotland looked very newrvous in the first 10 minutes. Sky sports said that Hampden park would be intimidating for the Italians but to me it was the other way around. I don't think the ITalians were intimidated at all. The Italians need to practice the setpieces more. Did you see the one in the 2nd half with 3 scotland players free in front of Buffon, the italian defenders were nowhere near them marking them. Italy was lucky that Scotland didn't score in one of their corners.
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Ricardo15 I totally agree with your comment, "it was the other way around." Scotland lost concentration despite having constant support from their fans. Italians were not intimidated at all. They were inspired, the drive to win was so vivid for the Italians.
You got that remark right, there was only mistake with Italy's defense.
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I admitted Anna, i was not happy with Panucci selection over Oddo, but he silenced me with a happy smile. I am glad about Donadoni's wise decision, this time he showed maturity and like you said, he found the right formation to beat Scotland.
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Hey Kenntak i was thinking about you and whether you make it or not to watch the match. Glad you recorded it.
I guess we were wrong when Anna defended PANUCCi's selection, at the end he proved to be the guy. Scotland pressure in the first half for only few minutes, and you are right in the second half Italy came back strong.
Man we have been celebrating all day, i keep checking back and forth the blog sharing with Anna. What do you think of Luca toni performance?
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Kenntak Welcome my friend! Are we happy or what?
I totally agree with you on Scotland putting more pressure. In the first half, right after Italy's goal, there were about 10 minutes where Scotland pressured the Italians. Yet, Italy woke up in time around the 27th minute.
Hey, the second goal of Luca Toni was legit! Even Fabio Capello said it and it was shown. However, Scotland's goal was offside. I'm glad we agree on this one.
I have been in the computer almost all day updating results hahahahaha... and having fun with Pietro exchanging comments.
How was your son's match?
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Pietro I am glad Panucci "silenced you with a happy smile." I am sure all of us Italian fans were happy with his goal and also for defending Italy's honor with his skills.
Just to add another comment, Luca Toni's performance was SUPERB! Only one missing in this great team was Inter defender Marco Materazzi. Did you notice at the end Donadoni bringing Chiellini to defend Italy's victory? Tall defendeders with great blocking skills were needed, here is where MATEREZZI is unique for the Italian team.
What do you think?
...hey, where are MILAN99, Suri, and Ricardo15?
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CONGRATULATION TO ALL ITALIAN FANS!!!
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THANKS MILAN99 miss you earlierrrr... After the match, I spent some more time in the blog. Later, I had to dress up for party celebration. MISS YOUUUUUUUUu... Pietro and I were having a ball going back and forth with our rollercoaster of emotions. Then, Kenntak got in... hey, have not heard from SURIIIIIIIIII... I saw Ricardo15 comments too.
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Welcome Anna, don't forget Italy are my fave too so actually I was congratulating myself
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Milan99,
Thanks for noticing. I'll drop by more often. Like I said I follow the serie a little by little. By the way, where's Daniel? We speak the same "language" quinas, sporting, benfica, tiago, antunes...
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Ricardo15 nice seeing you back with your comments. Don't know about Daniel, but I am glad to have you back and share thoughts on Antunes and Tiago. We might talk about Benfica when facing AC Milan or other Italian team. We certainly appreciate your opinion. Hope to see you often.
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No problem Man, your a friend
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I thought Donadoni's management of the game was pretty good. Chiellini and De Rossi were good substitutions. Toni was fantastic, he once again showed how important he is to the team.
I had Sicilian Syrah and some Chianti to celebrate.
My son's team lost their game and are no longer undefeated. I guess you can't have everything.
One final thing. Scotland's coach blasted the ref for the foul that led to Punucci's goal. I agree it was a very bad call. However, things evened out because Scotland was offside on their goal, and Italy may not have been offside on the goal that was discounted. The team that deserved to win won, and that is what's important. Italy can now play the u17 squad against the Faroe Islands.
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Kenntak I just came back from celebrating Italy's victory. I had a blast and thought about all of you guys.
I agree on Donadoni's management. Finally, the guy got it right! Dont' you think? I usually complain about his formation and substitutions, this time, I had no complaint.
De Rossi substitution for Gattuso was right on the dot. Gattuso, despite all his inner drive, was just tired and Italy was in need of fresh legs. Hey, you bet DE ROSSI made his contrinution in the few minutes he had.
Chiellini also a great choice. Scotland was pressuring so much in the last minutes, that a long shot could have been fatal without a tall defender. Here is where I LOVE MATERAZZI. That guy is the best. I don't like him in Inter, but when he plays for the Nazionale, I am his fan!
Chianti! That's my favorite wine. I used to go to the Chianti area when living in Florence.
Too bad your son's team lost.Gee... but at least you got Italy's victory. What position does your son play???
You bet Scotland's coach McLeish made all king of protests. But hey, ITALY's GOAL WAS NOT OFFSIDE, just saw all reviews and almost everybody agreed that it was a right goal, unlike the one from Scotland. To my surprise, even FABIO CAPELLO objected, and boy, it is weird to see Capello defending something with such a strong belief.
Your final comment made me laugh... "Italy can now play the U17 squad against the Faroe Islands." hahaha, that was a good one!
I AM SO HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY... danced a lot celebrating Italy with all my Italian friends. Too bad we are in different states. Otherwise, we would have celebrated too.
Ok.... so, did I respond to all your comments? hahahahahah... I guess... I did. hahaha
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Anna, you replied to all of my comments,and very well I might add.
My son plays keeper for one half and either defense or midfield the other half.
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Kenntak Good morning! Feel so great waking up the next day with a big smile knowing that ITALY WON the crucial match for the EURO 2008.
Wow, your son has many options! Which is his favorite?
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Kenntak I wish your son a good future in soccer, maybe we can see him in the future playing for the Italian Serie A??
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Hey really nice one Pietro, I join you in hope to see Kenntak son in serie A, btw Kenntak let us know this is your son when he is popular
Kenntak tell us who your son support in Serie A and who's his fave footballer???
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My son likes soccer but he is not obsessed like me lol. My wife and I play soccer 4-5 times a week. In fact, we played 3 games today. We play in a league but we also play in pick up games with Latino men (from Central and South America). Those players have a lot of skill, and are a lot of fun to play for and against.
But one difference between the Latinos and European players is that the Latinos dribble the ball more and pass less. In fact, they will often dribble the ball in front of the goal, and this can cause a problem if they lose the ball. But boy, can they dribble! Sometimes I sit back and just marvel at what they can do with the ball. It is almost like watching an accomplished dancer. Quickness, agility and style.
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Hey Kenntak, no matter how much a son look like his father, his father will be the #1
Watch this, it's exactly what your talking about, but hey its world class, don't you think???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sic9iP-_bPA
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