Scotland have been beaten 2-0 by World Cup champions Italy in their EURO 2008 Group B qualifier in Bari on Wednesday. Two goals from Luca Toni ensured Italy claimed an important win to keep them in the running for qualification for next years tournament.

Confidence for the visitors had been high after Saturday's 2-1 win over Georgia, which saw the Scots remain at the top of Group B, ahead of France, but facing the World Cup winners was a tough prospect.

Italy took the lead after just 12 minutes when Luca Toni won a free-kick on the edge of the box from a Stephen McManus foul.

Massimo Oddo sent a perfect ball into the box and Toni left goalkeeper Craig Gordon with no chance with a header fromjust inside the penalty area.

Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon had not been tested at all but was called into action to block a 30-yard effort from Lee McCulloch.

Hartley then had the opportunity to put the world champions under pressure with a well placed free-kick but Buffon was up to the task and first to the ball.

Di Natale had three shots saved by excellent saves from Gordon, with Mauro Camoranesi and Luca Toni coming close.

Scotland's comeback hopes took a tumble when Luca Toni grabbed his second goal of the night after 70 minutes.

AC Milan stalwort Gennaro Gattuso was the instigator, pushing the ball forward to Camoranesi, whose cross was met by Toni, who did well to send a header past Gordon to seal the win.

Scotland Team:

Goalkeeper:Craig Gordon.

Defenders: Graham Alexander, David Weir, Stephen McManus, Gary Naysmith

Midfielders: Gary Teale (Shaun Maloney, 66), Scott Brown (Craig Beattie, 86), Barry Ferguson (c), Paul Hartley, Lee McCullogh (Kris Boyd, 81).

Striker: Kenny Miller.

Subs Not Used:Allan McGregor, Christian Dailly, Jackie McNamara, Steven Pressley.

Italy Team:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon.

Defenders: Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Massimo Oddo, Gianluca Zambrotta.

Midfielders: Mauro German Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Simone Perrotta (Andrea Pirlo, 77).

Striker: Antonio Di Natale (Del Piero, 66), Luca Toni (Fabio Quagliarella, 87).

Subs Not Used:Christian Abbiati, Andrea Barzagli, Max Tonetto, Massimo Ambrosini.