Italy beat Malta 2-0 this evening, with the goals coming on either end of a World Cup qualifier in Modena characterised by an Italian siege on the Maltese goal and a  dogged defence by the Maltese.

Malta conceded the first  goal in the fifth minute but the boys in white and red fought with determination to resist and frustrate Italy until the second goal in the last seconds of injury time.

The first goal was scored from a suspected offside position by Mattia Destro in the first proper attack by the Italians, who played a 4-3-1-2  formation. It was Destro's first goal in an international match.

Goalkeeper Hogg avoided a second when he tipped over the bar on 11th minute as Italy dominated play and forced several corner kicks.

Moments later, Marchcisio slipped through two Maltese defenders but his effort was diverted by Luke Dimech.

The Maltese team however, was aggressive at times, even though any forward action was blunted quickly.

The Maltese players gave their all, blocking and frustrating the Italian attack. In the 24th minute Osvaldo fired a powerful shot from 25 yards, which was blocked again.

Michael Mifsud tried a long range shot at the Italian goal on the half hour. It was ineffective, but drew applause.

A minute later Hogg dived to block a well directed pass to Diamanti at the Malta goal mouth.

Roderick Briffa tried another long range shot on 35 minutes. It was deviated over the bar with ease by Buffon.

In the 37th minute Sciberras risked a yellow card when he downed Diamanti, who protested to the referee.

By the 41st minute the Italian supporters started getting restless, having expected more from the European vice-champions. The first whistles, directed at their own team, were heard as the Italian front end became more erratic.

Destro was floored in the penalty area in the 43rd minute, getting the worse of a coming together with Agius. The ref waved play on.

But the first half ended without change to the score line.

SECOND HALF

The Italians sought to raise their tempo in the second half and Malta conceded two corners in rapid succession as play restarted, but troubled was averted.

Osvaldo had a close range shot saved by Hogg and and effort by Briffa on the other side was snuffed out.

Muscat was shown the yellow card when he downed Diamanti in the sixth minute of the second half.

On the eighth minute Hogg punched the ball in a heart-stopping moment for Malta.

He did it again and was slightly injured on the 11th minute, saving a Nucerino effort on the goal line.

The Italian siege continued, with Insigne being particularly dangerous.

But Malta continued to make the occasional foray, mostly directed at Michael Mifsud - enough to ensure that the Italian forward could not call reinforcement from the back.

Briffa forced a rare corner for Malta in the 21st minute, easing the pressure off the Maltese defenders for some time.

Marchieso fired a rising shot shortly after. The crowd rose, but the shot went high.

At this point Daniel Bogdanovich was replaced by Andrew Cohen while Italy brought in Pazzini instead of Osvaldo.

Schembri was booked for a rough tackle on Insigne in the 26th minute as Italy relaunched their onslaught and the Maltese defended as best they could.

Destro was brought down in the penalty area again on the 29th minute and Cohen was booked shortly after by the Finnish referee after downing Peluso.

An Andre Schembri effort in the 31st minute sailed in front of the Italian goal, just too far for any contact.

With 15 minutes to go, Italy were still unable to translate their dominance into goals.

Agius headed off yet another  Pirlo effort in the 36 minute and the Italians again failed to capitalise from the corner flag.

The hard working Destro was replaced by Giovinco with 10 minutes to go.

Muscat was replaced by Ryan Camilleri on the 40th minute.

Pazzini fired a flying header which went just wide seconds later.

Hogg was beaten in the 43nd minute but Pazzini appeared to be startled and the Maltese defence recovered faster to avert the danger.

There were more heart-stopping moments in front of the Maltese goal.

The score was still 1-0 as the 90 minutes expired, and Hogg was booked for wasting time. Three minutes of extra time were announced.

Pazzini came within millimetres of the net after beating Hogg and at last Federico Peluso scored the inevitable second from a corner after the ball bounced off Hogg and Cohen.

Italy got the three points, but Malta's players left the pitch with their heads held high, as coach Ghedin had wanted.

The win lifted Italy to four points and left them joint top of Group B with Bulgaria who beat Armenia 1-0. Malta is at the bottom with no points, having been defeated by Armenia 1-0 last week.