Two goals, one crazy and one outstanding, saw Italy claim a crucial opening victory in their Euro 2000 clash against Wales.

Wales threw away the initiative in the first half when Chris Coleman gifted a stupid goal to Diego Fuser.

Then with 14 minutes left Christian Vieri - the man who has cost Lazio £19m - sealed the win with a stunning strike.

Del Piero got the starting nod over Roberto Baggio

Wales put a day of controversy behind them with a brave, committed display against the World Cup quarter-finalists.

The home side had Robbie Savage on the bench in disgrace after being thrown out of the team hotel by boss Bobby Gould because of a row over a television interview.

Though Savage was back in the fold, he was still dumped from the side, only getting on for the last 10 minutes for the tiring Mark Hughes.

But the upheaval didn't look to have affected Wales' spirit, and roared on by a big Anfield crowd they did enough to trouble Italy.

Giggs, playing up front with Mark Hughes in midfield, went on a blistering run past three defenders early on, only to be blocked off by Marco Juiliano.

Coleman gifts goal

Wales defended stoutly but fell behind after 19 minutes when Coleman gifted Italy a goal.

He got in front of Paul Jones, who was about to pick the ball up, and tried a weak pass out of the six yard box.

But he was caught in possession by Diego Fuser, who calmly slipped the ball into the unguarded net from an acute angle.

The goal deflated a Welsh side that had been playing with passion.

Wales had their best chance a minutes from the break when Blake was brought down just outside the box by Juiliano, and from the free kick Giggs curled a superb effort against the bar.

The second half saw Italy, with brilliant defending from Fabio Cannavaro, contain Wales' fire.

But Wales' midfield, in which Andy Johnson had an outstanding debut, refused to allow Italy to dominate.

However - for all their effort - Wales could not create significant chances.

One dazzling Giggs run down the right past four men ended with a shot charged down, but that was one of the few genuine scoring chances.

The second goal came after 76 minutes. Roberto Baggio, on for Del Piero, set up Vieri who finished with clinical skill as he ran past Coleman and Kit Symons.

Italy ended worthy winners as the Welsh crowd chanted: "We want Bobby out" - more a reflection of the Savage incident than a performance of bravery from their side.

Teams:

Wales: Jones, Robinson, Barnard, Symons, Johnson, Speed, Blake, Hughes, Giggs, Williams, Coleman. Subs: Bellamy, Saunders, Trollope, Mardon, Savage, Ward, Llewelyn.

Italy: Peruzzi, Panucci, Pessotto, D. Baggio, Cannavaro, Juliano, Fuser, Albertini, Vieri, Del Piero, Di Francesco. Subs: Buffon, Negro, Serena, Di Biagio, Inzaghi, Chiesa, R. Baggio.