Friday October 12, 2012 1st Round: Group B Finished Hrazdan Stadion

Armenia 1 - 3 Italy

  • Mkhitaryan 28’
  • Pirlo 11’ (pen.)
  • De Rossi 64’
  • Osvaldo 82’

29 comments | Write your comment

  1. Italy struggle to beat Armenia, Bulgaria draw with Denmark

    Italy struggle to beat Armenia, Bulgaria draw with Denmark

    Group B round-up: Italy took an early lead but were far from their best when winning a tough encounter in Armenia 3-1 to stay top of their group. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Armenia
    • Italy
    • - Thanks for joining us for this match. What did you make of Italy's victory and the game as a whole? You can get in touch with your views... Follow on Twitter
    • 90+3' The full-time whistle goes at Hrazdan, and Italy have closed out a 3-1 win over Armenia with goals from Pirlo, De Rossi and Osvaldo. Armenia were level at half-time, and gave a very good account of themselves with Mkhitaryan's excellent goal as a consolation.
    • 90+2' Italy keep the ball through De Rossi and Criscito, and we are just about done in this match with the visitors comfortable.
    • 90+1' Armenia manage at least to get on the ball and to pass it around at the back as stoppage time is played out.
    • 90' There will be three added minutes as Italy keep the ball in the Armenia half.
    • 89' Criscito attempts a precise through ball, but Sirigu is offside and the move breaks down.
    • 88' Montolivo is withdrawn as Candreva is introduced for Italy.
    • 87' Sarkisov fouls Criscito in the Italy half, and the play is very scrappy in the final minutes.
    • 86' Armenia enjoy some possession at the back before Barzagli fouls Yedigaryan.
    • 85' Italy keep the ball in midfield, and Armenia are not able to get on the ball at all at the moment.
    • 83' De Rossi whips over yet another superb delivery from the right, but this time Ozbiliz is on hand to clear.
    • 82' GOAL! Osvaldo gives Italy a two-goal cushion with a powerful header into the far corner of the net, and it's a very fine finish to surely end this contest and give Italy the three points! It was De Rossi's precise delivery from the right, and Italy have closed this out.
    • 82' Osvaldo is hacked down on the edge of the box, and this is a dangerous free kick for Italy! Aleksanyan is shown the yellow card.
    • 81' Italy squander a huge opportunity! Osvaldo shoots on target, but it's cleared away from inside the six-yard box by Mkoyan!
    • 79' Buffon lumps a long ball upfield as Italy look to clear at every opportunity now.
    • 77' Sarkisov comes on for Armenia as Manoyan is taken off, and that's their second change.
    • 75' Harutyunyan is shown the yellow card for a clumsy foul on El Shaarawy, and it's very scrappy now.
    • 74' Movsisyan attempts a shot from just outside the Italy box, but this time he miscues his effort completely.
    • 73' Giaccherini replaces Pirlo as the Italy playmaker is withdrawn after another fine display.
    • 71' Movsisyan fouls Bonucci, and it's a clumsy challenge as Armenia become increasingly desperate.
    • 70' Italy clear from the corner through Bonucci, and the visitors can now build once more and press forward.
    • 69' Maggio concedes a corner as he is put under pressure from Manoyan, and Armenia win the set piece.
    • 68' Yedigaryan commits a foul as De Rossi continues to make a real impact in this second half.
    • 67' Substitute El Shaarawy has a dig from range, with Berezovsky making a solid save. Italy are beginning to look much more comfortable now.
    • 65' Artur Harutyunian comes on for Edigaryan, and Armenia make their first change.
    • 64' GOAL! Daniele De Rossi restores Italy's lead with a stooping header to put his side back in front, and it's a huge goal for the visitors, who were beginning to look very frustrated. De Rossi takes the goal very well as he converts Pirlo's pinpoint cross!
    • 62' Armenia clear through Mkoyan as Italy continue to surge forward in their droves.
    • 61' Italy are piling on the pressure again now, and Armenia are very much under the cosh.
    • 60' Ozbiliz drives a low shot towards the near post, and again Buffon is called into action to make a smart save.
    • 59' De Rossi flies down the left and drifts over a fine cross, but Osvaldo cannot quite get on the end of it.
    • 58' Montolivo surges forward, and he draws a foul from Mkrtchain, who receives a booking for a cynical barge.
    • 57' Mikhitaryan continues to cause havoc in the final third for the hosts, and Italy find themselves on the back foot all of a sudden.
    • 56' Buffon makes another solid save as Movsisyan drives a low shot on target, but it lacks power.
    • 55' What a save from Buffon! A deep ball is floated to the back post by Ozbiliz, and Manoyan volleys to the near post, where the Italy keeper tips the ball wide!
    • 53' Pirlo whips over a devilish free kick to the back post, and Armenia fail to clear initially before Mkoyan finally punts the loose ball away.
    • 52' Mkrtchyan wins a free kick as Marchisio lunges in late, and Armenia are glad to have some respite.
    • 51' Montolivo chases a long ball into the corner, and almost gets his foot round the ball to find a cross, but he cannot quite get there.
    • 49' What a chance for Italy! Armenia fail to clear inside their box and the ball breaks loose for Giovinco, who can only blast a wild shot over the bar!
    • 48' Aleksanyan wins a free kick in the Armenia half as Criscito comes in late, and he shows good footwork there.
    • 47' Osama Bin Haroon has got in touch to say that 'it would be a disaster if Italy come away from Armenia with a draw. Credit goes to Armenia though for keeping them quiet.' Quite right, Italy look very fired up after the break and need to take control once more.
    • 46' The second half is under way, and Italy keep the ball well early on with Bonucci winning a free kick as Yedigaryan makes a late challenge.
    • - What do you make of that first half, and what's your prediction for the score at full-time? Get in touch on Twitter @Dan_Eurosport
    • 45+1' The half-time whistle goes at Hrazdan, and it's 1-1 after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's stunning equaliser in the 27th minute to cancel out Andrea Pirlo's penalty in the 11th minute. The home fans are jubilant at the break!
    • 45' There will be just one added minute at the end of this first half as Edigaryan wastes an opening with a wild shot.
    • 44' Aleksanian picks out Mkrtchain, but he is brought down by Giovinco, who is booked for preventing a clear counter-attack.
    • 43' What a chance for Italy! Pirlo slides through a pinpoint ball to Montolivo, who scuffs the ball wide with just the keeper to beat - he really should have at least hit the target!
    • 42' Berezovsky launches a long ball upfield, and but Manoyan cannot bring it down as Maggio clears.
    • 41' Arzumanian flies forward and drives a fierce shot on target, but Buffon clings on to hold the effort!
    • 40' Armenia keep the ball and enjoy some good possession, and the hosts are really excelling.
    • 39' Pirlo's free kick into the box is a very good one, before Giovinco lashes a fierce shot over the bar!
    • 38' Italy continue to press forward, and Maggio is hacked down by Yedigaryan.
    • 37' Ozbiliz produces a lung-busting run down the right before cutting inside and shooting on target, but Buffon saves comfortably. A fine run.
    • 36' Giovinco shows terrific footwork as he jinks between two challenges to dink a precise delivery into the box, but Mkoyan manages to head clear.
    • 35' Marchisio wins a free kick now as Aleksanyan commits a foul, and Italy are really applying the pressure.
    • 34' Buffon very coolly comes off his line to clear the danger as a long ball is punted upfield from Ozbiliz.
    • 33' Mkoyan accidentally handles on halfway, and it stops a promising counter-attack from Armenia in its tracks.
    • 32' Osvaldo wins a free kick in the Armenia half as Mkrtchyan lunges in rather clumsily.
    • 30' The home fans are making a huge noise at the Hrazdan, and Italy are only just beginning to settle again.
    • 29' Italy are shellshocked by that goal from Mikhitaryan, and Armenia are relishing this contest all of a sudden.
    • 27' GOAL! Henrikh Mkhitaryan pounces upon a weak clearance from Maggio, and he slides a cool finish beyond Buffon to send the home fans into delirium - what a goal for Armenia, who are now level! It's a fabulous goal for the hosts.
    • 26' Yedigaryan makes a rampaging run down the field, before dragging his shot wide of the far post.
    • 25' Criscito keeps the ball at the back for his side, and Italy look pretty secure as Armenia struggle to get on the ball.
    • 24' De Rossi makes a crucial clearance from inside the Italy box as Manoyan almost gets in for a tap in!
    • 23' Osvaldo concedes a foul with a lunge in on Mkoyan, and that could have been a booking.
    • 22' Criscito gets down the left once more, and it was his initial run that led to the opening goal for Italy.
    • 20' Montolivo is seeing a lot of the ball, and he exchanges passes with De Rossi on halfway as Italy press.
    • 19' Giovinco is ruled offside as Criscito attempts to play the ball in behind the Armenia defence.
    • 18' Marchisio continues to impress for Italy as he sees a lot of the ball, and he is combining very well with Pirlo.
    • 17' Pirlo is crudely brought down by Edigaryan, and that's pretty clumsy.
    • 16' Bonucci is shown the yellow card for a poor foul on Manoyan, and he has no complaints.
    • 15' Ozbiliz takes a dangerous free kick for Armenia, and he draws a save from Buffon as he hits the target with a curled effort.
    • 13' Berezovsky is furious with his defence as he hammers a clearance straight into the back of Osvaldo, with the ball very fortunately rebounding behind!
    • 12' Criscito is ruled offside as he looks to get in behind the Armenia back four.
    • 11' GOAL! Pirlo steps up and slots away the penalty in convincing fashion, sending Berezovsky the wrong way with a very cool finish! It's a perfect spot kick, right into the bottom left corner. Italy have made a very impressive start in this match.
    • 9' PENALTY! Mkoyan is booked as he handles inside the box, and Montolivo's attempted cross-shot sees the defender intervene illegally.
    • 7' Italy are managing to dominate the possession, and Pirlo is as instrumental as always.
    • 6' Pirlo and Marchisio now combine, and the visitors are managing to really stamp their authority on the encounter early on.
    • 5' Berezovsky concedes a corner kick, and Italy can continue to pile on the pressure.
    • 4' Marchisio lumps a long ball up towards Giovinco, but his delivery is misplaced.
    • 3' De Rossi and Pirlo exchange passes in midfield, and the pair look to dominate the possession for their side.
    • 2' Giovinco attempts a through ball to Montolivo, but his team-mate is ruled offside!
    • 1' The first half is under way at the Hrazdan Stadion, and Italy immediately settle in possession.
    • 17:55 Italy have four points from their first two matches with a draw in Bulgaria and a 2-0 win over Malta, while Armenia are third in the group with three points after their win in Malta. Group B details
    • 17:50 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Armenia: Berezovsky, Aleksanian, Mokyan, Arzumanian, Yedigaryan, Ozbiliz, Mkrtchain, Edigaryan, Mkhitaryan, Sarkisov, Movsisyan. Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Criscito, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, Osvaldo, Giovinco
    • 17:45 Welcome to live text commentary of Italy's World Cup qualifying clash with Armenia in Group B at the Hrazdan Stadion.

  • Summary

    • 82' GOAL! Osvaldo gives Italy a two-goal cushion with a powerful header into the far corner of the net, and it's a very fine finish to surely end this contest and give Italy the three points! It was De Rossi's precise delivery from the right, and Italy have closed this out.
    • 81' Italy squander a huge opportunity! Osvaldo shoots on target, but it's cleared away from inside the six-yard box by Mkoyan!
    • 64' GOAL! Daniele De Rossi restores Italy's lead with a stooping header to put his side back in front, and it's a huge goal for the visitors, who were beginning to look very frustrated. De Rossi takes the goal very well as he converts Pirlo's pinpoint cross!
    • 55' What a save from Buffon! A deep ball is floated to the back post by Ozbiliz, and Manoyan volleys to the near post, where the Italy keeper tips the ball wide!
    • 49' What a chance for Italy! Armenia fail to clear inside their box and the ball breaks loose for Giovinco, who can only blast a wild shot over the bar!
    • 43' What a chance for Italy! Pirlo slides through a pinpoint ball to Montolivo, who scuffs the ball wide with just the keeper to beat - he really should have at least hit the target!
    • 27' GOAL! Henrikh Mkhitaryan pounces upon a weak clearance from Maggio, and he slides a cool finish beyond Buffon to send the home fans into delirium - what a goal for Armenia, who are now level! It's a fabulous goal for the hosts.
    • 11' GOAL! Pirlo steps up and slots away the penalty in convincing fashion, sending Berezovsky the wrong way with a very cool finish! It's a perfect spot kick, right into the bottom left corner. Italy have made a very impressive start in this match.
    • 9' PENALTY! Mkoyan is booked as he handles inside the box, and Montolivo's attempted cross-shot sees the defender intervene illegally.
    • 17:50 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Armenia: Berezovsky, Aleksanian, Mokyan, Arzumanian, Yedigaryan, Ozbiliz, Mkrtchain, Edigaryan, Mkhitaryan, Sarkisov, Movsisyan. Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Criscito, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, Osvaldo, Giovinco

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Armenia

    Manager: Vardan Minasyan

  • Italy

    Manager: Cesare Prandelli

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.2 -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 6.3 -
      Yellow Card 5.5 -
      6.5 -
      6.8 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 6.2 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out65′ 6 -
      6.9 -
      Goal 7.3 -
      Strikers
      6.8 -
      Substitution Out77′ 6.5 -
      Subs
      Substitution In65′ Yellow Card 5.8 -
      Substitution In77′ 6.6 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.8 -
      Defenders
      5.5 -
      5.7 -
      Yellow Card 5.4 -
      6 -
      Midfielders
      Goal Substitution Out74′ 7.7 -
      6 -
      Goal 7.5 -
      Substitution Out88′ 5.9 -
      Strikers
      Goal 7.2 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out61′ 5.4 -
      Subs
      Substitution In88′ 6.6 -
      Substitution In61′ 6.5 -
      Substitution In74′ 5.8 -

Comment 9 - 29 of 29

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. just wish italy could play germany every game

    From GINO, on Sat 13 Oct 8:37

  2. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That c^nt Dizzy talking­ rubbish as per usual.

    From Robert Jardine, on Fri 12 Oct 22:38

  3. Dizzy ? dizzy ! can you see ? no ? Dizzy !! i like your­ confidence boy

    From Russel, on Fri 12 Oct 19:53

  4. whatever the score is ARMENIA is my team

    From abro, on Fri 12 Oct 19:46

  5. and I submitted that before he scored. what now?

    From Kal-El, on Fri 12 Oct 19:41

  6. -Dizzy World class Italian players under 30- 1. De­ Rossi (hence the goal) 2. Osvaldo Check the­ scoreboard you clown

    From Kal-El, on Fri 12 Oct 19:37

  7. poooooooooooooooooooo i love pooooooooooooooo do you ­ poooooooooooooooooopsssss

    From Naima, on Fri 12 Oct 19:30

  8. poooooooooooooooooooo i love pooooooooooooooo do you ­ poooooooooooooooooopsssss

    From Naima, on Fri 12 Oct 19:30

  9. at this rate Pirlo will need to be fit until he is 80.

    From delazzuro, on Fri 12 Oct 19:28

  10. Armeni 2 - 2 Italia o verj!!

    From Jerem, on Fri 12 Oct 19:26

  11. Well done Italy!!!! Please copule more goals will be­ good!!!!

    From RUFAT, on Fri 12 Oct 19:23

  12. Armenia ! arachh!!!

    From Jerem, on Fri 12 Oct 19:23

  13. why do the comments keep disappearing ???

    From Brian, on Fri 12 Oct 18:52

  14. Italy will cake-walk this group. Anybody who puts­ stock in the performance of every qualification game­ knows nothing about football, and should stop trying to­ lecture others on their knowledge of the game. Italy­ will make the tournament easily and when they are there­ they will perfom as they always do and as they did in­ the last Euros.

    From Niall Ranger, on Fri 12 Oct 18:50

  15. Dizzy is giving a better commentary than Yahoo

    From Brian, on Fri 12 Oct 18:49

  16. ih merda what is happening to the azzuri?

    From delazzuro, on Fri 12 Oct 18:35

  17. yes ! more plz. pirlo , mario !

    From Russel, on Fri 12 Oct 18:13

  18. italy to win 6-0 pirlo 2 Giovinco 1 El Shaarawy 1­ . De Rossi 2

    From Hsgajhfjhdj, on Fri 12 Oct 18:12

  19. Come on Italy ! Show armenians how to play football­ !!!!!

    From RUFAT, on Fri 12 Oct 18:06

  20. Italy to win 5:0 at least !!!!!!!!

    From RUFAT, on Fri 12 Oct 18:03
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