SBS - Italy has defeated Ghana 2-0 in their World Cup Group E match in Hanover.

Andrea Pirlo put Italy ahead five minutes before the break with a fine effort from distance, and substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta made it 2-0 with seven minutes remaining after latching on to Samuel Kuffour's weak backpass.

Italy : Buffon, Cannavaro, De Rossi, Gilardino (Iaquinta 63 min), Grosso, Nesta, Perrotta, Pirlo, Toni (Del Piero 81 min), Totti (Camoranesi 55 min), Zaccardo

Ghana : Kingston, Addo E, Amoah (Pimpong 67 min), Appiah, Essien, Gyan (Tachie-Mensah 87 min), Kuffour, Mensah, Muntari, Pantsil, Pappoe (Illiasu 45 min)

Scorers : Pirlo 39th minute (Italy), Iaquinta 82nd minute (Italy)