The Azzurri took another step towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this evening, recording their third win in seven days and taking control of their qualifying group in the process. In Vilnius, the Azzurri beat Lithuania 2-0 to pick up their sixth consecutive victory and extend their unbeaten run to 25 matches (20 wins and five draws). Mancini’s men have thus equalled the 25-game undefeated streak achieved by Marcello Lippi’s team between 2004 and 2006. The all-time record in this regard belongs to Vittorio Pozzo’s Italy side, who didn’t lose in 30 games between 1935 and 1939. With the match being played on an artificial pitch that certainly doesn’t favour sides with more technical ability, Italy struggled to create chances in the opening period and lacked tempo and a bit of spark. It was another story after the restart, with Mancini sending on Chiesa and Sensi at half-time and the latter instantly scoring his third goal for the National Team. Immobile then had four great chances to double the Azzurri’s lead, but the Lazio striker finally bagged his twelfth Italy goal just seconds before the final whistle as he converted from the penalty spot.

THE MATCH. Roberto Mancini made a host of changes for tonight’s clash, with ten new faces being selected in the starting line-up compared to Sunday’s match against Bulgaria. Indeed, only Donnarumma retained his place in between the sticks. Mancini and Bastoni formed the Azzurri’s centre-back pairing, while Toloi, who was making his debut, and Emerson Palmieri filled the right and left full-back roles respectively. After his excellent goal in Bulgaria, Locatelli was once again selected in midfield, and he was joined by Pellegrini and Pessina. Italy’s attacking trio consisted of El Shaarawy, Bernardeschi and Immobile.

The match started as expected: Italy were the team doing the attacking, while Lithuania primarily focused on their defensive duties and looked to afford the Azzurri very little room. Mancini’s men initially struggled to really get going. After a couple of long-range efforts from Pellegrini, the first big chance of the game fell to El Shaarawy, who was unable to convert Pessina’s low cross from just a few yards out. Emerson then let fly with a left-footed strike, but Svedkauskas was able to produce a solid fingertip stop. The first half finished with the score at 0-0, a fair reflection of what had happened in the opening period.

Italy needed to step it up a gear. At the beginning of the second half, Mancini replaced El Shaarawy and Pellegrini with Chiesa and Sensi. It proved to be an inspired move from the Head Coach, who watched as the Inter midfielder gave Italy the lead with a shot from the edge of the box just two minutes after the restart. Three minutes later, the Azzurri came close to doubling their advantage: Pessina drew a save from Svedkauskas, who then denied Immobile on the rebound.

In the 54th minute, Svedkauskas once again excelled as he kept out Locatelli’s sweet volley following Bernardeschi’s cross to the far post. Immobile had two big opportunities shortly afterwards: first, he fired wide after getting the better of two opponents in the area; then, he didn’t manage to take advantage of a gift from the Lithuanian defence as he fired straight at Svedkauskas. Italy were looking much livelier and pushing higher up the pitch. Spinazzola and Barella came on for Emerson and Pessina, and the Roma winger started to make an impact with his running down the flank.

With 69 minutes on the clock, he whipped in a fantastic ball for Immobile, who headed inches wide. Italy had now wasted various chances and risked conceding in the 73rd minute, when Donnarumma did well to use his body to keep out Eliosius’s close-range attempt following a quick counter from the hosts. With the match coming to an end, Immobile and Locatelli both had efforts at goal, but Svedkauskas was once again there to deny Italy. Just when it seemed like it wouldn’t be the Lazio striker’s night, he converted from the penalty spot to bag his twelfth Azzurri goal after Barella had been fouled in the area. Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign will resume in September, when they’ll come up against Bulgaria and Lithuania once more. In the middle of those two fixtures will be a game against Switzerland, a showdown that will probably be decisive in the fight to finish top of Group C. But now the Azzurri’s thoughts will turn to the European Championship. Qatar is still a long way away.