Italy 3 - Denmark 1; Bulgaria 0 - Czech Republic 0

Prague was the site of the clash between hosts Czech Republic and their opponents Bulgaria.  Bulgaria fired a warning shot wide in the first minute, but from then on the match was played on Czech terms until the final minute of the half.  A short-angle free kick from Georgi Iliev was flicked on at the near post by Ivelin Popov to the far post just out of the reach of a sliding Stanislav Manolev.  The half ended scoreless.

A dozen minutes after the restart, Bulgaria had a golden chance when a Georgi Milanov cross found a diving head of Popov, but the ball sailed just wide of the far post.  Midway through the period, Czech substitute Vladimir Darida nearly had a goal from distance, but Bulgaria goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov was there for a tip over.  With under ten minutes remaining, the Czechs had an attack that result in a ball being chipped over Mihaylov on a cross, but the Bulgarian defense was first to the ball to toe poke to safety.  The exciting 0-0 draw will leave the Czechs wondering what might have been had midfield playmaker Tomas Rosicky been healthy for the match.

A crowd in Milan was witness to the get together between visiting Denmark and group leaders Italy.  Simon Kjaer (pictured, white #3) was the Danish hero early as he headed one ball for a save on a shot from Riccardo Montolivo (pictured, blue) and then block another from Pablo Osvaldo.  Kjaer could only do so much, however, as Italy eventually had their goal.  Italy forward Mario Balotelli backheeled around Denmark defender Daniel Agger to set up Montolivo from the half-circle for the opening goal with a dozen minutes left in the half.  Balotelli went down in pain, having had his ankle been stepped on by Agger.  Four minutes later the lead was doubled when an Andrea Pirlo cross was headed in for Italy by a leaping Daniele De Rossi.  In stoppage time, William Kvist volleyed a cross from Lar Jacobsen with authority from the half circle for the goal of the match.  Denmark were down only 2-1 going into intermission.

Pablo Osvaldo took a red card in minute 46, leaving Italy a man down for the final half of play.  Denmark, for the second straight match, were unable to make the extra man count and in fact hemorrhaged another goal.  A long Pirlo ball over the three-man Danish back line found Balotelli, who lifted his leg high into the air to get a redirecting touch as the Denmark goalkeeper was rushing to block him.  Denmark had the majority of chances over the remainder of the match but were unable to trouble the Italian defense seriously.  Italy win 3-1 to consolidate their lead in Group B.

Italy 10 pts +6
Bulgaria 6 pts +1
Czech Rep 5 pts +2
Armenia 3 pts -2
Denmark 2 pts -2
Malta 0 pts -5

Goals
Italy
Riccardo Montolivo 33
Daniele De Rossi 37
Mario Balotelli 54

Denmark
William Kvist 45+1

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785752/index.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2218792/Italy-3-Denmark-1--Mario-Balotelli-target.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92437/italy-vs-denmark/report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785811/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1787136/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbKlopSdrwc (Bulgaria v. Czech Republic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h0zgVlbujM (Italy v. Denmark)