Once again, Italy didn’t let up. After qualifying for EURO 2020 with a record three games to spare, Mancini’s side put five past Liechtenstein in Vaduz. That result saw the side achieve two objectives as they picked up an important eighth win in the group with a view to the FIFA Ranking but it also saw Mancini win nine consecutive matches (including the friendly against the United States of America), which sees him equal the record of the illustrious Vittorio Pozzo.

After taking the lead in the second minute through Bernardeschi, the Azzurri extended the lead late on with goals from Belotti (two), Romagnoli and El Shaarawy. The Azzurri were in control for 90 minutes but there were difficult moments as players who featured less attempted to impress and earn their places. Mancini changed the side compared to the match on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico and the team lined up in a 4-3-3 with Sirigu in goal. Debutant Di Lorenzo started at right-back (the 19th under Mancini), Mancini and Romagnoli were in the middle with Biraghi on the left. Zaniolo started for the first time in the middle alongside Cristante and Verratti while Bernardeschi, Belotti and Grifo made up the front three.

182nd in the FIFA Ranking, Liechtenstein were bottom of Group J on two points with two goals scored and 20 conceded. The match started in an explosive fashion with Liechtenstein going close but Sirigu did well to save with his feet. In the second minute, Italy responded on the break and scored after Biraghi cut the ball back to Bernardeschi. The Azzurri continued to attack while the hosts looked to strike on the break like in the fifth minute when Sirigu saved a dangerous Salanovic shot.

There were two more chances in the 14th and 21st minutes as Buchel saved from Bernardeschi first and then Zaniolo. In the 40th minute, Bernardeschi had a free kick in a good position but his shot was too central while Salanovic again called Sirigu into action in the 42nd minute with the goalkeeper turning the shot behind for a corner. The first half ended with Sirigu saving form Yildiz.

After the first half which Italy controlled while running the risk of being stung on the break, the second half started with the Azzurri on the attack. In the 49th minute, Belotti was brought down in the area but the referee Treimanis ignored the protests.

Italy’s first change was made in the 63rd minute with Zaniolo coming off for El Shaarawy who moved to the right-wing with Bernardeschi dropping back. At the other end, Liechtenstein went close to scoring with Salanovic forcing a great save from Sirigu in the 65th minute.

Soon after almost conceding an equaliser, Italy scored a second. The Azzurri kept going and the second goal finally came in the 70th minute. From a Grifo corner, Belotti headed in at the far post. In the 74th minute, it was Sandro Tonali’s moment as he became the 20th player to make his debut under Mancini when he came on for Bernardeschi. Three minutes later, El Shaarawy’s accurate cross was headed in by Romagnoli as he scored his first Italy goal.

El Shaarawy found the net in the 83rd minute before the cherry on the cake came in the 90th minute when Belotti netted his second.