A Luca Toni brace helped Italy crush Ukraine 3-0 in Hamburg on Friday to set up a World Cup semi-final against Germany next week. Gianluca Zambrotta opened the scoring on six minutes before a Luca Toni brace after Italy soaked up a period of Ukraine pressure put the result beyond doubt.

It was a classic counter-attacking performance from Italy, who may have been stale in the group stages but appear to be finding their form at the right time and look to have another gear to shift into in the later rounds.

Italy got the ideal start, Zambrotta picking up a loose ball before running unchallenged at the Ukraine defence and cutting inside from the right to send a left-foot shot low past Oleksander Shovkovksy in the Ukraine goal, who should have done better.

The early strike allowed Italy to play their natural game, breaking up the play and counter-attacking in what was quite frankly a turgid first half that saw few chances for both sides.

The second half offered more in the way of excitement, Ukraine going close twice, firstly Gianluigi Buffon saving well from an Andriy Husin header and secondly the Italy 'keeper making a super stop from Oleg Gusiev before Fabio Cannavaro cleared Maxim Kalinichenko's follow-up shot off the line.

LADY LUCK ON AZZURRI'S SIDE

The lucky escape was a turning point for Italy, who promptly went down the other end to double the lead through Toni who nodded home recalled Francesco Totti's inch-perfect left-wing cross.

Husin almost brought it back to 2-1 with a superb leap and header from an Anatoly Tymoshchyuk free-kick, but it bounced off the crossbar and Italy scrambled the ball clear.

The match was put out of reach by Italy soon afterwards, more great play from Zambrotta giving Toni a simple tap-in for his second and Italy's third.

Ukraine continued to press but the match was all over, Italy setting up a tantalising semi-final against Germany on the 4th of July.

Man of the match: Gianluca Zambrotta (ITA) - the full-back cum-midfielder has quality to add to his versatility, scoring one, assisting another and a constant threat from both flanks while never neglecting his defensive duties.