Italy finish Euro 2020 qualifiers with perfect record

Italy thumped Armenia 9-1 on Monday to complete their Euro 2020 qualifying group with a perfect record and extend their record-breaking run to 11 successive international wins as they looked forward to tournament scheduled next year.

Twenty-year-old Nicolo Zaniolo scored a brace, his first international goals, while Ciro Immobile also scored twice as Italy completed Group J with 30 points from their 10 games.

Alessio Romagnoli, Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, debutant Riccardo Orsolini and Federico Chiesa shared the other goals.

Italy also beat the United States in a friendly before the group stage began and their winning run is the longest in their 109-year history.

Armenia finished fifth with 10 points and were eliminated as they cannot qualify through the playoffs.

''I think we have the basis to become a great team for many years,'' said coach Roberto Mancini.

"All of our young players are improving and playing international football adds to the quality they already possess,'' he added.

"We have got six months to prepare for the European Championship and it is going to be difficult to decide who to leave out of the final 23.," Mancini further said.

Italy have scored nine goals or more in a game on three occasions -- in a friendly against France in 1920 which they won 9-4 and in Olympic Games matches against Egypt in 1932, which they won 11-3, and the United States in 1948 when they won 9-0.