International round-up:The United States pulled off an historic first win over Ireland's Euro 2012 opponents Italy in Genoa tonight. Fulham striker Clint Dempsey's 55th-minute goal was the difference between the two sides in a famous 1-0 win at the Luigi Ferraris stadium. The Azzurri had numerous chances to equalise but were denied by some good goalkeeping from Everton's Tim Howard.
The Americans, who had failed to beat Italy in their previous 10 attempts, claimed their fourth straight win under coach Jurgen Klinsmann, while Italy suffered their second straight loss after defeat against Uruguay in November.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli had emphasised the importance of the game as he looked ahead to this summer’s European Championship, and was keen to test alternatives in attack. The home side were without injured strikers Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi, while Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli and Roma striker Daniel Osvaldo were omitted after breaching Prandelli’s code of conduct due to recent indiscipline with their clubs.
The USA were limited to long-range shooting and Dempsey was the first to test Gianluigi Buffon in the 38th minute with a right-footed shot from 30 yards that was kept out by the goalkeeper. But the Americans took a surprise lead early in the second half when Jozy Altidore superbly controlled Fabian Johnson’s cross from the left and set up Dempsey, who made no mistake from 10 yards.
Italy twice had the chance to equalise as Pazzini found Borini in the area and his central effort from 10 yards was saved by Howard. Pazzini shot wide from a good position as Italy wasted another good opportunity. With seconds remaining, substitute Riccardo Montolivo fired inches wide of the far post from outside the area.
Roberto Soldado pushed his Euro 2012 claims with a hat-trick in
Spain's 5-0 win over Venezuela.In the absence of regular strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres the Valencia man shone, and could even afford to miss a 66th-minute penalty.
Andres Iniesta and David Silva had already fired Spain 2-0 ahead before Soldado took over in the second half. Venezuela had Fernando Amorebieta sent off before Soldado missed his spot kick.
In Zagreb, Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring from a penalty and was instrumental in two Sebastian Larsson goals as Sweden beat Croatia 3-1.Ibrahimovic fired home from the spot in the 13th minute but Croatia were back on terms by the interval thanks to an own goal from Jonas Olsson.
That was as good as it got for Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, who had likened the Swedes to Euro 2012 opponents Ireland, as Larsson put Sweden back in front straight after half-time before making sure of the result when put through again by Ibrahimovic.
Michael O'Neill's first match in charge of Northern Irelandended in defeat as a deflected opener and two late goals gave Norway a comfortable 3-0 victory at Windsor Park.
Things started brightly enough, with the hosts having the best of the first period only to go behind a minute before the break after Sammy Clingan diverted Havard Nordtveit’s shot past Lee Camp. Tarik Elyounoussi then doubled the winning margin with a neat shot on the turn and Espen Ruud’s volley sealed it in added time.
Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick to fire Argentina to a 3-1 win over Switzerlandin their friendly international in Bern tonight. The Barcelona playmaker scored twice in the final five minutes to secure victory after Xherdan Shaqiri had cancelled out his 19th-minute opener.
Olivier Giroud scored his first international goal as France beat Germany 2-1in Bremen. The Montpellier striker, the leading scorer in Ligue 1 this season, netted after 21 minutes and veteran Florent Malouda (69) added a second to ensure Cacau's 90th-minute effort was a consolation for the hosts.
Uruguay equalled their longest ever unbeaten run of 14 games as they drew 1-1 in Romania. Edinson Cavani’s third-minute opener was cancelled out by Bogdan Stancu (49).
