Italy Defeats Malta 4-0 in Euro Qualifier, Putting an End to Scandal-Filled Week

Italy defeated Malta 4-0 in their qualifying match for the European Championship, putting an end to a week filled with scandal.

Giacomo Bonaventura's first Azzurris goal put Italy ahead to win, while Domenico Berardi's two goals in each half put an end to his goal drought. Davide Frattesi, the substitute, scored in stoppage time to extend his run of goals.

Italy is now just three points behind the top of Group C, England, who they will play at Wembley on Tuesday. Ukraine, who have played one more game, defeated North Macedonia 2-0 to tie Italy on points.

Before the game in Prague, North Macedonia and Ukraine were tied on points. In the thirtyth minute, Georgiy Sudakov scored the first goal, and shortly after coming off the bench in stoppage time, Oleksandr Karavaiev completed the victory.

Midway through the week, authorities had stopped Italy's preparations for the match in Bari by questioning Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo at the national team's Coverciano training facility as part of an inquiry into betting. Later, the players from the Premier League left the camp.

Due to injury concerns, Bonaventura made his first game for the Azzurri in three years. In the 25th minute, he broke the deadlock and became the oldest player to score a goal for the national team. After Moise Kean attempted to dribble into the area but was stopped, Bonaventura curled a fantastic shot into the upper right corner of the net.

In his 15th appearance for his nation, the 34-year-old scored his first goal for Italy.

Although Berardi had already netted six goals for Italy, it had been almost two years since he had last scored. With a shot that went in off the inside of the far post, he ended that just before halftime.

In the 64th minute, Berardi increased his score once again after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma initiated a play. Giacomo Raspadori crossed the ball from the left; Kean failed to stop it, but Berardi was there to seize the opportunity at the back post.

A minute after entering the game, Frattesi scored his third goal in his previous two international appearances to cap off an encouraging victory for Italy. Nevertheless, the Azzurri will be anticipating a tougher battle against England.

Lithuania continues to hunt

Lithuania defeated Bulgaria 2-0 thanks to two goals from Pijus Sirvys in Group G.

Sirvys' goals either side of halftime put an end to Bulgaria's hopes of qualifying automatically, even though both teams needed to win to be in the running.

Fourth position There is still a mountain Lithuania needs to overcome. They are five points behind Serbia in second place and eight behind leaders Hungary. Compared to Lithuania, Montenegro has three extra points.

Hungary, who had played one fewer game than their opponent, defeated Serbia 2-1 to take exclusive possession of the top spot in the group.

Barnabas Varga's opening goal was cancelled out in the 33rd by Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlovic, but a minute later, Roland Sallai gave Hungary the lead again.

Denmark and Slovenia both triumphed once more to keep up their close competition for first place in Group H. Kazakhstan was defeated 3-1 by Denmark, and Slovenia defeated Finland 3-0.

Both clubs are tied at 16 points, with little separating them. In seven games, both have given up six goals, with Slovenia having scored one more than Denmark.

Head-to-head results are used as the first tie-breaker. When they met in June in Slovenia, they tied 1-1. Next month, they'll play in Denmark once more. Of the six teams in the group, neither team has yet qualified.

Four points below and six above Northern Ireland, who defeated San Marino 3-0, are Finland and Kazakhstan.