HANOVER, June 12: Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta scored a goal in each half on Monday to give Italy a 2-0 win over Ghana in Group E of the World Cup. Pirlo’s shot in the 40th minute gave the Italians the lead and Iaquinta added an insurance goal in the 83rd.

The win may have been a costly one for Italy, though. Playmaker Francesco Totti exited the game after apparently re-injuring his surgically repaired left leg in the second half.

Ghana had a few scoring chances and showed itself worthy of playing in its first World Cup.—AP

Czechs win

GELSENKIRCHEN: World Cup Group E match between United States and Czech Republic on Monday.

United States 0

Czech Republic 3: Scorers: Jan Koller (5), Tomas Rosicky (36,76)

Halftime: 0-2.

Australia back

KAISERSLAUTERN: In the World Cup Group F match between Australia and Japan in Kaiserslautern on Monday.

Australia 3: Scorers: Tim Cahill (84,89), John Aloisi (90+2)

Japan 1: Scorers: Shunsuke Nakamura (26)

Halftime: 0-1;Attendance: 46,000—Reuters