Reggio Emilia (Italy) (AFP)

This will not replace the wasted opportunities against Bulgaria (1-1) and Switzerland (0-0), but Italy has healed its confidence by atomizing Lithuania (5-0) on Wednesday in Reggio Emilia thanks to a new wave driven by Moise Kean, author of a double.

In the absence of three-quarters of the usual holders, spared or forfeited, Kean showed the way with formidable efficiency: the neo-Juventino opened the scoring on the first defensive error of a very weak Lithuanian team (11th) then signed the 4-0 with an unstoppable end, while the clock had not reached the half hour (29th).

The former Parisian, mute in selection for two and a half years, signs his first double in azzurro at 21 years old.

In the Sassuolo stadium, the young Neroverdi center-forward Giacomo Raspadori (also 21) was not left out for his first start (and 5th selection).

On his first shot, deflected, the Italian leprechaun with a determined look thought he had scored his first goal in azzurro, but the goal was awarded to Lithuanian Edgaras Utkus against his side (14th).

The joy of Italian striker Moise Kean, after opening the scoring against Lithuania, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Reggio Emilie Vincenzo PINTO AFP

But "Raspa" had only ten minutes to wait before opening his counter, taking advantage of a too short revival of a defense decidedly not stingy in gifts (24th).

This hungry relief - completed in the second half by the novice, Gianluca Scamacca - has enough to give some scares to the usual holder at the top, Ciro Immobile, in difficulty during the first two matches and forfeit the third due to injury.

- Donnarumma replaced -

Despite the weakness of the opponent, the competition could be wide ahead for the final tournament of the Nations League in early October and especially the two decisive matches in November for the World Cup-2022 (Switzerland, Northern Ireland).

After the two disappointing draws last week, which keep Italy under threat from Switzerland, Roberto Mancini recalled that his Nazionale - now undefeated for 37 matches - still had her destiny in hand: she will finish in the lead - and therefore directly qualified for Qatar - if they win all of their last matches.

This easy success, but seriously defended in the second half before a fifth goal signed Giovanni Di Lorenzo (54th), will have shown that the message was received five out of five by a largely reworked team, without Immobile, Insigne, Verratti, Chiesa (forfeits ) nor Chiellini, Bonucci and Barella (substitutes).

The joy of Italian striker Giovanni Di Lorenzo, after scoring the 5th goal against Lithuania, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Reggio Emilie Vincenzo PINTO AFP

Gianluigi Donnarumma, the only one maintained among the holders with Jorginho and Di Lorenzo, was entitled to 45 minutes of play before being replaced by Salvatore Sirigu.

As in Florence last week, "Gigio" received a standing ovation from the 11,000 spectators, welcome encouragement before returning to face the competition of Keylor Navas at Paris SG.

Especially during a stop on one of the rare Lithuanian strikes (10th).

There was then 0-0, but it was not going to last.

© 2021 AFP