Scandal-hit Italy maintains Euro 2024 push with Malta win

Beleaguered Italy bounced back from a scandal-hit week on Saturday by strolling to a 4-0 win over Malta which maintained second place in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C.

Domenico Berardi’s double, Giacomo Bonaventura’s first Italy goal and a late strike from Davide Frattesi gave the European champions an expected win against rock-bottom Malta to reclaim the second automatic qualifying spot from Ukraine who beat North Macedonia 2-0 earlier in the day.

Luciano Spalletti’s side are level on 10 points with Ukraine and three points behind leaders England ahead of Tuesday’s key clash at Wembley where the Azzurri won the last Euro just over two years ago.

Italy return to the site of their greatest triumph since winning the 2006 World Cup while Ukraine face sorry Malta in Ta’ Qali.

Malta are yet to register a single point after six matches in the five-team group and on the basis of Saturday’s showing are unlikely to put up much resistance against Ukraine.

That means anything b

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