Canna: Rarely caught with pants down (GMPrior/Allsport)

But Belgium can count themselves unlucky after hitting the woodwork and bringing a series of acrobatic saves from Italian goalkeeper Francesco Toldo.

They can, of course, still qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat Turkey in their final group match.

But as far as winning the tournament is concerned, the Italians look the more likely on this evidence.

Totti, Filippo Inzaghi and Fiore turned in superb displays in attack, while the defence was well led by Paolo Maldini.

The action was fast and frantic virtually from the kick-off, with Inzaghi bringing a fine save from Belgium goalkeeper Filip De Wilde after just four minutes.

Just over a minute later the Italians broke through.

The ball was played wide to Demetrio Albertini on the right touchline. The midfielder paused before sweeping over a cross which Totti met with a powerful header which beat De Wilde low down to his left.

But co-hosts Belgium, who had impressed in their opening victory over Sweden, responded to the home crowd's urgings with a tidal wave of attacks.

First Bart Goor fired in a 25-yard rocket which shuddered the angle of the post and crossbar.

Derby County's Branko Strupar should have done better with a close-range header which glanced agonisingly wide and Marc Wilmots, arguably Belgium's most influential player, brought a couple of fine saves from Toldo.

Toldo was in spectacular action once more immediately after the restart as Belgium surged forward in search of the equaliser.

Defender Lorenzo Staelens latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and struck a crisp shot through a forest of players which Toldo could have seen only at the last moment before turning it acrobatically around the post.

Italy, however, always looked dangerous on the break and in the 65th minute they produced the move of the match.

Fiore picked up the ball and moved swiftly across the penalty box before feeding Inzaghi for the one-two.

The ball was played precisely back into Fiore's pass and his 20-yard blast billowed the Belgium net and broke the home crowd's hearts.

And Italy might have had a third in the closing seconds when substitute Alessandro Del Piero's long-range swirler brought a fingertip save from De Wilde.

The Italians now have six points, a total which cannot be eclipsed in Group B and only a miracle series of results could deprive them of their place in the quarter-finals.