Italy beat Belgium after Di Natale double
The Udinese striker volleyed in at the far post on nine minutes following Andrea Pirlo’s cross and then confidently slotted home Alberto Aquilani’s pass before the break.
Mauro Camoranesi stroked in the third early in the second period after substitute Alessandro Del Piero’s neat layoff.
Belgium have not qualified for next month’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland and mustered ony a few half chances before Wesley Sonck headed home in injury time.
Di Natale, little known outside Italy, offers the world champions much-needed balance on the left of a three-pronged attack and could be an important player at the finals.
“Di Natale has always done well. He is incredibly at ease,” Italy coach Roberto Donadoni told a news conference.
Italy’s starting lineup was largely their first choice side with centre back Andrea Barzagli preferred to Marco Materazzi but Aquilani’s selection in midfield ahead of Massimo Ambrosini was a slight surprise.
Aquilani produced a decent display and helped bridge the gap that sometimes appeared between the midfield and the forwards during Euro 2008 qualification.
“I wanted to see him from the start. He had a good game and played a very important ball for the second goal. I’m happy for him,” Donadoni added.
Del Piero, recalled for Euro 2008 having been overlooked by Donadoni since September, came on at the break and was upfront alongside Toni in a new 4-3-1-2 formation.
The 33-year-old had said playing on the left of the trident, where Donadoni employed him in the past, did not suit his game and that he would rather play as a striker.
Second-half substitute Antonio Cassano, who sealed a permanent move from Real Madrid to Sampdoria earlier in the day, played in behind the two forwards and showed some nice touches in a bid to justify his surprise selection in the squad.
Italy, who attracted a crowd of only 12,500 for their send-off, travel to their base outside Vienna on Monday with their first match against the Netherlands on June 9 in Berne.—Reuters