Italy comfortably secured a 2-0 victory against Albania in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday. The hosts named a weakened side but never really looked troubled and goals from Daniele De Rossi and Ciro Immobile were enough to see out a victory against Gianni De Biasi’s side.
The result means that the Azzurri have kept the pace with Spain, who they are currently tied on points with but are below in the group due to goal difference. The ever-reliable Daniele De Rossi opened the scoring from a penalty, prompting celebrations and statistics on Twitter.
GOAL!!!! No mistake under pressure from the spot as #DeRossi opens the scoring! #ItalyAlbania 1-0 pic.twitter.com/plxpWDcZ7o
— Italy (@azzurri) March 24, 2017
Daniele De Rossi scores his 20th career goal with Italy pic.twitter.com/P9DXIKwJYn
— Flo-Calcio AS Roma (@CalcioASRoma) March 24, 2017
#Totti with the correct prediction of 2-0. Also predicted #DeRossi on the score sheet.
— A.S. Roma USA (@ASRomaNJ) March 24, 2017
Never any doubt. De Rossi tucks in Italy’s spot-kick. pic.twitter.com/bxymDiIjvz
— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) March 24, 2017
20 – Daniele De Rossi has scored his 20th goal for Italy National team: he has reached Paolo Rossi (12th goalscorer all time). Ice. #ITAALB
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 24, 2017
There were several flares thrown onto the pitch during the match, leading to an 8 minute stoppage in play. There was also plenty of confusion as to which set of fans threw the flares, although it later emerged that it was the Albanian fans who were responsible.
Play temporarily suspended between Italy and Albania, as the Albania fans have let off a number of flares. pic.twitter.com/4q8srGPmiV
— ODDSbible (@TheOddsBible) March 24, 2017
Italy v Albania suspended over flares https://t.co/ikNAooh5fe pic.twitter.com/KEj6tjiUjm
— Gistblize.com (@david_yinusa) March 24, 2017
? | #DeRossi: “The suspension for the flares was unpleasant. On the pitch there was a good atmosphere between the two teams.” #ITAALB
— Italy (@azzurri) March 24, 2017
these stupid Albanians throwing flares on da field ? keep it up Italy gonna win!!
— Manny FG (@mannylakers96) March 24, 2017
Oh good old Italy, fans throwing flares on the pitch even though they’re winning
— Edmond Apathy (@Edmond643) March 24, 2017
Italy game suspended because of fan trouble from the Albania fans setting off flares.
— Robert Cazorla (@CazorlaRoba) March 24, 2017
I remember few years back for WC2014,Serbia-Italy was abandoned bc of rowdy fans.Crowd noise,flares+ fireworks getting wild #ItaliaAlbania
@FootyAccums if you want flares and fireworks go to the Italy game . Albania delayed the game
— whem dinho (@whemdinho7) March 24, 2017
@azzurri @FootySuperTips it should be restarted there sort flares out then get on with game Italy better score some goals to piss em off
— Keith hartmann (@AoHartmann) March 24, 2017
— Vinc’e (@EastCoastCalcio) March 24, 2017
Gianluigi Buffon reached his landmark 1000th professional football match last night as well and the tributes were pouring in for the legendary goalkeeper.
1,000 games and still playing. All hail Gianluigi Buffon ? pic.twitter.com/HSYMz0pBBA
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) March 25, 2017
Gianluigi Buffon will play his 1,000th professional game tonight!
A legend in the truest sense of the word ?? pic.twitter.com/a4snuAEz7l
— All Football News (@AllFootballLive) March 24, 2017
Gianluigi Buffon’s career:
? Games: 1000
⚽️ Juventus: 612
⚽️ Parma: 220
?? Italy: 168
? Clean Sheets: 426Legend of the game. ?? pic.twitter.com/P1KLoUW4iL
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 24, 2017
Gianluigi Buffon is older than both Italy’s reserve goalkeepers put together ? pic.twitter.com/vJ2BjlGhp4
Buffon 1000 games and 43% of them are clean sheets ?
— Callum Jenkins (@Jinksccfc) March 25, 2017
Gigi Buffon is the real Italian lothario, absolute legend
— Call um (@callumcallear) March 25, 2017
All hail Gianluigi Buffon,a 1000 game! damn! this guy is the real Ace! @Jwokabi
— Daudi (@DaveWangari) March 25, 2017
1000 games is some achievement as a player but Buffon is still the best around and still my goalkeeping hero #Buffon
— Andrew Bobbem (@clarkios) March 25, 2017
1000th match for Gigi Buffon.
What a legend.#AllHailGigiBuffon— Pablo Escobar ™ (@wanhafizi2205) March 25, 2017
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 24, 2017
Game number 1000#legend #buffon , I wish he’ll play in Russia 2018. pic.twitter.com/xywBHCzLKT
— Arvind Chahal (@chahalz10) March 25, 2017
Gianluigi Buffon made his professional debut against a brilliant AC Milan side…and yes, he kept a clean sheet ?? pic.twitter.com/2LeynlHPoM
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 25, 2017
19:45 – Gianluigi Buffon starts his 1000th career game.
21:45 – Gianluigi Buffon keeps his 426th career clean sheet.
— bet365 (@bet365) March 24, 2017
Congratulations to the legend that is Gianluigi Buffon on making his 1,000th appearance in professional football. Unbelievable achievement.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 24, 2017
Congratulations to Buffon who plays his 1000th game tonight. For me, he’s the greatest goalkeeper of all time. Extraordinary achievement.
— Kloppholic (@Kloppholic) March 24, 2017
?? “How do I imagine my last ever game? Maybe I’ll go out like Zinedine Zidane, head-butting someone on the pitch!”
– Gianluigi Buffon pic.twitter.com/SJbbajNt1P
— 8 Fact Football (@8Fact_Footballl) March 24, 2017