Six points, eight goals scored, none conceded. Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign couldn’t have got off to a better start. After beating Moldova 3-0, the Azzurre recorded a second win in as many games, thrashing Croatia 5-0 thanks to goals from Gama, Giacinit (brace), Girelli and Cernoia. Italy are, for the moment, top of group G as we await Switzerland and Romania’s results.

The Azzurre put in a five-star performance in Karlovac and were much more clinical in front of goal, which Milena Bertonlini had demanded pre-match, and took the lead with their first big chance. Croatia, in spite of a bright start, collapsed and were limited to tentative forays into the Italy half. The match, which was suspended after Girelli bagged Italy’s fourth due to a lighting problem, concluded with a red card to Giuliani and a penalty converted by Cernoia.

 “The girls were great,” said Milena Bertolini after full time. “We were a bit timid in the challenge in the first half but really got going after the break. I’m happy because it wasn’t easy to score five against such physical opposition.”

The game – Bertolini made just two changes from the team that played against Moldova. Galli replaced Giugliano (injured) in a midfield alongside Cernoia and Caruso, who started ahead of Rosucci. Two players, who know the Italian football system, started for Croatia: former Juventus goalkeeper Bačić, who moved to Sporting CP in the summer, and Hellas Verona full-back Jelenčić. Head coach Prskalo went with the talented 19-year-old Glibo, who is plying her trade in Austria, as the lone striker.

There was very little excitement in the opening stages; Croatia defended resolutely and Italy struggled to break them down in the first ten minutes. The Azzurre mostly threatened through set-pieces and it was from a Cernoia freekick that they took the lead. The Juve midfielders effort bounced back off the crossbar and Gama was first to it and she let fly from the edge of the box - Bačić stood no chance. Bertolini’s girls really kicked up a gear after the goal and began to put their opponents under near-constant pressure. Giacinti doubled the Azzurre’s lead on the half-hour mark, heading home from Caruso’s cross.

Gama came off at the break after taking a significant knock to her ankle at the end of the first half; Lenzini came on in her place. But Italy kept playing their way and stunned the hosts with a quick one-two at the start of the second half. Bonansea served it up on a platter for Giacinti to make it 3-0 (47’) before Girelli turned Bergamaschi’s freekick home (50’). Croatia’s defence got a slight reprieve when the floodlights went out at the Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek, forcing the referee to halt the match for around 45 minutes. The game restarted with Giuliani being sent off for handball outside the box and, later, Cernoia converting from the penalty spot to make it 5-0.

World Cup qualifying continues on 22 October with a rematch against Croatia at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro before the Azzurre head to Vilnius on 25 October to take on Lithuania.

CROATIA 0-5 ITALY(0-2 ht)

CROATIA (5-4-1): Bačić; Dulčić, Balog, Pedić, Kunštek (55' Bukač); Čanjevac; Pezelj, Lubina, Lojna, Jelenčić; Glibo (46' Šabašov). Subs.: Vidović, Bukovec, Bračević, Zdunić, Jakobašić, Balić, Spajić, Jedvaj, Petarić, Taritaš. Coach: Prskalo

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bergamaschi (54' Boattin), Gama (46' Lenzini), Linari, Bartoli; Galli, Caruso, Cernoia; Bonansea, Giacinti (75' Durante), Girelli (54' Cantore). Subs.: Baldi, Durante, Di Guglielmo, Salvai, Soffia, Rosucci, Glionna, Pirone, Serturini. Coach: Bertolini

REFEREE: De Aza (ESP). Linesmen: Ayuso (ESP) and Gonzalez (ESP). Fourth offical: Garcia (ESP)

GOALS: 17' Gama, 31' and 47' Giacinti, 50' Girelli, 80' Cernoia (pen.)

NOTES: Kunštek and Lojna booked, Giuliani sent off