Scotland then went on the attack searching for the winning goal that would take them to the Euro finals in Austria and Switzerland next year, but it was the visitors who scored the decisive second goal after the regulation 90 minutes had ended to book their own, and France's, place in the finals.
"We knew it was going to be a physical match given the atmosphere. But through their character and desire, the lads were fantastic," Roberto Donadoni, Italy manager, told Italian television station Rai Uno.
"They worked so hard, they deserve this. Qualifying for Euro 2008 is amazing. It's something positive after all that happened last week (the death of a Lazio fan)."
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"Qualifying for Euro 2008 is amazing. It's something positive after all that happened last week."
Roberto Donadoni,
Italy manager |
Scotland were looking to achieve the victory which would take them to their first major finals since the 1998 World Cup in France, but they got off to the worst start possible when Toni netted an early soft goal.
A quick throw-in caught the Scotland defence napping, allowing Gianluca Zambrotta time to pick out Antonio Di Natale and his low cross was poked high into the roof of the net from close range by Toni.
Roared on by a capacity crowd of 51,301, Scotland slowly began to find their feet and forced a series of corners after 15 minutes.
With James McFadden's inswinging deliveries, Ferguson blasted wildly over in the 17th minute and his Rangers teammate David Weir was even closer in the 18th minute, sending a glancing header just wide, with Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon beaten.
Scotland fight back
Italy started the second half strongly but in the 64th minute Scotland got back on level terms after a fine run from right-back Alan Hutton ended in him being fouled on the edge of the area.
McFadden took the resulting free-kick and his low shot deflected into the path of Lee McCulloch six-yards from goal only for the Rangers midfielder to shoot weakly at Buffon.
However, the Italian keeper somehow spilled the shot and Ferguson slid in to prod the ball into the back of the net.
The momentum swung Scotland's way and in the 81st minute Kenny Miller, who had replaced Scott Brown in the 74th minute, drove the ball across the face of goal, taking Buffon out of play, but McFadden, rushing in at the back post, sent his left-foot shot wide.
Referee makes cruel call
Just as it looked as though Scotland would be left relying on Ukraine to beat France on Wednesday they were dealt a killer blow.
Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez, Spanish referee, gave a dubious and crucial free-kick to Italy in good position when it looked like the call should have gone Scotland's way.
Pirlo's ensuing cross to the back post was met by Panucci who sent a looping header over the stranded Gordon and into the corner of the net to end Scotland's dreams in the cruellest of ways.
"This was a victory won with the heart. It was difficult to play in this stadium, with that atmosphere it was like a cauldron, said Fabio Cannavaro, Italy captain.
"We showed once again that we are a strong and compact team and when we need to win we do everything to show that we are the world champions."