Football: Di Matteo starts Italy's rout of Poles

Round-up

Italy cemented their hold on England's World Cup group last night with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Poland in Naples.

Chelsea's Robert Di Matteo set them on their way after 23 minutes. Paolo Maldini, scoring at the second attempt, and Roberto Baggio, who replaced the limping Gianfranco Zola, added the other goals.

Germany finally put their World Cup campaign in gear by beating Ukraine 2-0 in Bremen, but it took them an hour to escape the Group Nine leaders' clutches. Oliver Bierhoff broke the deadlock with a left-foot shot after a 63rd-minute throw-in had been helped on. Germany wrapped up the victory nine minutes later when Mario Basler played a couple of one-twos on a run from midfield before scoring from close range.

Germany are a point behind Ukraine in Northern Ireland's group, with a game in hand.

Austria moved up to second place in Group Four, four points behind Scotland with two games in hand, by beating Estonia 2-0 in Vienna. Both their goals came in the second half, from Ivica Vastic and Peter Stoger.