Two Pirlo free-kicks sink Scotland

Andrea Pirlo struck twice with free-kicks to give Italy a 2-0 win over Scotland in their World Cup qualifier yesterday.

Marcello Lippi's side had a series of chances in the opening half hour before Pirlo's curling effort in the 35th minute put them ahead.

Scotland, playing their first game under new manager Walter Smith, went close to an equaliser after the break when Nigel Quashie and then Kenny Miller tested Gianluigi Buffon during a rare spell of pressure.

Pirlo made sure of the win, five minutes from the end, with an even better free-kick from 20 metres.

The result leaves Italy comfortably on top of Group Five with 12 points from five games while Scotland are second from bottom with just two points from four games.

In front of a large Scottish travelling support at a rain-drenched San Siro, Italy were comfortably in charge of the game from the outset.

Giorgio Chiellini went close with a deflected shot in the 10th minute, then Francesco Totti forced Rab Douglas into action with a low free-kick.

Intelligent passing

Pirlo's intelligent passing in midfield was causing the Scots some trouble and Antonio Cassano forced Douglas into action again when he tried a lob after latching on to a pinpoint pass from the Milan midfielder.

Ten minutes before the break Pirlo put the Italians ahead with a curling free kick as Douglas took two steps in the wrong direction before a belated dive.

Douglas was then substituted with what appeared to be a leg injury and Hearts keeper Craig Gordon took over in the Scottish goal.

Just before the break Totti should have made it 2-0 for the Italians when he fired over the bar from a good position after a smart exchange between Cassano and Gilardino.

Scotland had not managed a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes but they looked determined to set that right after the break and it didn't take them long to bring Buffon into action.

Buffon did well to keep out a drive from Quashie in the 51st minute after the Scotland midfielder had latched on to a good knock down from Miller.

Three minutes later Miller squandered a great chance when, through on goal, he fired straight at the advancing keeper.

With just five minutes left, Pirlo struck again with another of his trademark free-kicks to make it 2-0.