Goals from Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta gave Italy [Images] a 2-0 victory over Ghana in an entertaining World Cup Group E match on Monday.

Midfielder Pirlo's 40th-minute goal came after Ghana, looking sharp in their approach play, had wasted two good chances.

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Italy rarely looked in danger after the break and coach Marcello Lippi will be well pleased with a solid performance.

Substitute Iaquinta secured victory when he raced through in the 83rd minute before rounding goalkeeper Richard Kingston [Images] and slotting the ball into an empty net.

Ghana, playing in their first World Cup finals match, looked nervous in the opening stages and almost fell behind in the 27th minute when Luca Toni wriggled free of marker Samuel Kuffour and blasted a shot against the underside of the bar.

That served as a wake-up call to the Africans who then produced their best spell of the game, twice giving the Italians a scare.

Asamoah Gyan should have done better when he drove wide after being set up by Matthew Amoah.

Emmanuel Pappoe then blasted high and wide from a promising position in the 32nd minute.  

Italy responded with a thundering drive from 30 metres by Francesco Totti [Images] which Kingston tipped over.

Five minutes before the break Totti played a quick, short-corner to an unmarked Pirlo who had the space to line up a shot which whistled through a crowded penalty area to give Lippi's side the lead.

Albertino Gilardino forced Kingston into action again in the 51st minute with a low drive after racing on to a delightful Totti pass but again Ghana replied, Michael Essien's 20-metre drive forcing Gianluigi Buffon to full stretch.

Totti limped off in the 56th minute to be replaced by Mauro Camoranesi and Italy continued to look the more dangerous, Simone Perrotta bringing a good save out of Kingston.

Ghana had an appeal for a penalty turned down in the 79th minute when Gyan went down under challenge inside the area.