SYDNEY, June 4: Two people were arrested and seven policemen received minor injuries when exuberant Italian fans took to the streets of a Sydney suburb to celebrate Italy’s 2-0 World Cup defeat of Ecuador Monday.

About 1,500 fans spilled onto the streets of the popular Italian district of Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner suburbs after watching Italy’s confident group G opener in Sapporo on television in bars and cafes.

Police were called when the crowd, with some people carrying flares, blocked traffic in a narrow street. Seven police received minor injuries and a police cap, badge and mobile telephone were stolen as extra police arrived to disperse the crowd.—Reuters