Armenians amazed football fans: International response to Armenia-Italy match

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS: The international media spreads on the Italy-Armenia match of the World Cup qualifiers. Touching upon the match, the official website of UEFA writes: “Italy peg back Armenia to finish unbeaten”. The Italian media also touched upon the game of the Cesare Prandelli’s players and their result. “Italy finished Group B unbeaten, albeit with some difficulty, but still do not know if they will be seeded in the December draw for next summer's tournament. It's something they'll have to sleep on because it now depends on results in the South American qualifying group. That's the price the Azzurri have to pay for drawing at home to Armenia - by no means a disastrous result in itself but Italy came up against unexpected problems and looked a different team to the one seen in previous outings. Not even Balotelli's appearance as a second-half substitute was enough to clinch the three points that would have locked up their place in the top seeds pot”, - writes La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“Armenians, who were battling for a possible runner-up finish, started brightly and took a shock lead at the San Paolo. Two minutes after pouncing on a mistake by David Astori,ArmeniastrikerYura Movsisyanintercepted an Alberto Aquilani back pass towards Astori to run through on goal and beat number twoItaly'keeper Federico Marchetti. Alessandro Florenzileveled for the hosts when he found a gap in theArmeniadefense to coolly head Lorenzo Insigne's cross from the left past Roman Berezovsky on 24 minutes. A largely experimentalItalywere creating plenty up front, but leaving gaping holes at the back. Marchetti was given warning again whenHenrikh Mkhitaryanburst past Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci only to send his effort across the face of goal and theItalykeeper then had to smothered Aras Ozbiliz's effort”, - says the official website of FIFA.

Armenpress reports that the Armenian national football squad played draw with Italy with the final score 2 – 2. The final match in the World Cup qualifiers Group B kicked off at Stadio San Paolo in Naples, Italy. In Group B, Italy has already booked its spot at Brazil 2014, with 22 points, Denmark has 16 points, Czech Republic - 15, Bulgaria - 13, Armenia - 13 and Malta - 3.