Sunday, May 3, 1998 Published at 16:03 GMT 17:03 UK

Results and Reports

Italy 3 Paraguay 1 (April 22)

Chris Endean reports on the match [51'']

Inter Milan winger Francesco Moriero made the best of his first international start, scoring twice as Italy warmed up for France with a 3-1 win over Paraguay.

Italy's Francesco Moriero playing for Inter Milan

Italy's free-flowing football, with Moriero given the freedom to roam down the right, were ahead after just four minutes when skipper Paolo Maldini headed home a curling free kick by Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero.

Moriero made it two 13 minutes later, thrilling the 25,000 crowd in Parma with a spectacular bicycle kick from a Dino Baggio cross that left Paraguay keeper Jose Luis Chilavert helpless.

Italy's captain Paolo Maldini

Italy threatened to make it a rout but a Christian Vieri effort in the 27th minute was disallowed. Minutes later, Chilavert just managed to save a deflected Del Piero cross.

The South Americans, who had come close when Francisco Arce blasted just over on the half-hour, pulled one back in the 57th minute when defender Pedro Sarabia headed a corner past Italy's reserve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, playing in front of his home fans.

But Moriero, in only his second appearance with Italy, sealed the victory three minutes later with a long-range blast.

"I hope I finally got my visa for France,'' said Moriero.

Italy coach Cesare Maldini praised the Inter player and said his team had done everything expected of them.

"We played very well. I feel we've already got into the World Cup spirit.''

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