ITALY 3, N IRELAND 0

NORTHERN IRELAND are flying high in their World Cup group but were handed a masterclass in a friendly against reigning champions Italy in Pisa.

Nigel Worthington's side were humiliated virtually from start to finish as the Azzurri cut loose.

Giuseppe Rossi bagged an opener before the break and Pasquale Foggia and Sergio Pellissier also netted to put the icing on the cake.

Giampaolo Pazzini could have made it four but the penalty which he had earned himself was well saved by Jonathan Tuffey.

The Northern Ireland goalkeeper had been replaced by Linfield's Alan Mannus by the time Pellissier added a third just 10 minutes after he had entered the fray.

But Mannus prevented a tennis score with a string of fine saves.

Italy took a 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to a first international goal from Rossi in the 20th minute.

Northern Ireland spent much of the first half defending and Alessandro Gamberini and Riccardo Montolivo both went close to doubling the tally for Marcello Lippi's side.

Their second did arrive with Foggia, put through on goal by Rossi, lifting his shot delicately over Tuffey for his first international goal.

Tuffey gave away the spot-kick but the Partick star produced the save.

Then Pellissier opened his international account with an acrobatic effort beating Mannus at his near post in the 73rd minute.

The Chievo striker had the chance to make it four with 10 minutes left but Mannus held his nerve to deny him with a fine save in a one-on-one situation.

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