New-look Italy are impressing with their offensive flair at the European Championship as they became the first team to reach the last 16 of the European Championship.
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Midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored two goals in a game for the first time in his career in a 3-0 victory over Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico that secured the Azzurri's progress from the group stage with a game to spare.
It's quite a turnaround for a team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Italy extended their unbeaten streak to 29 matches - one shy of their team record.
Wednesday evening win is their 10th clean sheets in a row in that run, scoring 30 times.
Locatelli's first goal came after a textbook exchange with Sassuolo teammate Domenico Berardi midway through the first half.
His second came with a long, low shot shortly after the break that left Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer immobile.
Ciro Immobile added the third with a long-range effort in the 89th for his second goal of the tournament.
Giorgio Chiellini had a goal waved off by video review early in the match because of a handball. Then the Italy captain exited with an apparent left thigh injury.
Italy lead Group A with a six points after overwhelming Turkey 3-0 in their tournament opener with Wales second on four points after beating Turkey 2-0 in Baku in Wednesday's earlier match.
Switzerland are one point and Turkey are yet to get off the mark.
Locatelli's first goal was an offensive masterclass.
He started it off with a long pass from within Italy's half to Berardi streaking down the right flank. Berardi then cut inside and crossed back to the onrushing Locatelli, who tapped in from close range.
And to think that Locatelli only gained his starting spot because of an injury to the more experienced Marco Verratti, who is expected back for the next game against Wales.
At age 23, Locatelli became the tournament's youngest scorer so far.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma preserved the shutout with a double save on Steven Zuber late in the second half.
In the final group games, Italy remain in Rome to face Wales while Switzerland return to Baku to face Turkey.
Australian Associated Press
