Italy 4 Wales 0

Italy 4 Wales 0

Heading into the game with a 2-point lead at the top of the group, it was always likely that Wales would need a result in the San Siro to qualify as group winners for next summer. And it could have been a dream start as Giggs capitalised on a poor back header and almost put Wales 1 up but for the diving body of Buffon in the Italian goal.

With another chance for Hartson after Giggs again broke through the centre of the Italian defence you started to hope that maybe it could have been a night for another famous Welsh victory. With Vieri and Inzaghi leaving their shooting boots at home first half and some great defending from Wales (in particular Delaney) a 0-0 half time score raised the optimism that maybe we could succeed where no-one else had. To be fair for the last 15 minutes of the first half we came under some severe pressure which saw the woodwork struck twice and Italy have by far the lion’s share of possession.

But at half time no-one really saw the avalanche that was coming as Wales again started defending as if their life depended on it. Page made a spectacular clearance off the line and the woodwork was struck again and more and more it looked as if it just wasn’t to be the Italian’s night. But it was to be. Inzaghi put them ahead just before the hour mark when he picked up and shot home after Vieri had rattled the woodwork again from point blank range and the stadium erupted with noise.

Within fifteen minutes Inzaghi had a hat trick as he clinically finished twice more and Wales were dead and buried. Del Piero added a fourth from the penalty spot after a foul by Simon Davies the scoreline started to resemble the play. The night that showed Wales still had a long way to go to match the best that Europe can offer. With bookings for Bellamy, Savage and Delaney it will also be a depleted Wales on Wednesday night although the booking for Bellamy will have put a smile on the face of Bobby Robson.

Italy now have the group in their hands and a win in Belgrade on Wednesday followed up by the predictable home win over Azerbaijan and it’s runners up spot for Wales at the best. But they have to ensure that this happens and a win for the top two on Wednesday will guarantee that spot at minimum for Wales – this is now essential. After the way that we started the group we cannot afford to miss out on the next stage at least and from then on in – anything is possible.

We have seen in the last few months that in depth Wales just don’t have the strength that other countries have. Totti is missing from the Italians and you don’t notice – we miss people like Hartson and Gabbidon far more and suffer because of it. With the three suspensions on Wednesday it will be a very different Wales side again and time for some of the back up players to stand up and be counted for their country.

It’s not a lost cause and those bookings for Portugal may not be wasted but tonight was certainly the wake up call that reminds us that we are not world beaters and I can safely say that Italy will do well next summer (assuming of course they make it!)

Time now for all of us to get behind Wales and ensure that we take 6 points from 6 and make the Italians work for their qualification.

Pictures – Click The Thumbnail For The Full Version

What are your thoughts? Share them on the Message Board