Vieri, Baggio wrap it up for Italy

Vieri headed home a free-kick from Alessandro del Piero four minutes into the second half, after del Piero had been brought down by uncompromising defender Peter Schoettel.

Vieri took his tournament goal tally to four by escaping his marker Toni Polster and giving Michael Konsel no chance from just two metres out.

The goal broke what had been a game deadlocked by some fearsome tackling, especially from the Austrians, throughout a first half which produced little good football.

With Austria pushing for a equaliser, substitute Filippo Inzaghi broke in space down the right and cut the ball back in to the path of Baggio who slotted home with ease in the last minute of ordinarytime.

But the game had a final twist when Alessandro Costacurta brought down Hannes Reinmayr and Herzog scored from the spot. But it was too late to save Austria.

With a place in the second round beckoning for the winner 8212; and a draw of no real use to the Austrians 8212; their attempts at breaking up the Italian rythym at the expense of their own appeared counter-productive.

Italy, with Gianluca Pessotto and Luigi di Biagio creating chances for their front men when they escaped their markers, looked the better side.

But until Vieri8217;s goal they were continually left frustrated by Austria8217;s physical approach which also cost them three bookings for Schoettel, Wolfgang Feiersinger and Ivica Vastic.

Vieri was a constant threat to the Austrian defence until he was replaced by Inzaghi after 61 minutes.

Austria went close to equalising after 66 minutes when Heimo Pfeifenberger forced goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca into fine double-save from an overhead kick.

But overall the Italian defence, in which skipperPaolo Maldini and veteran substitute Giuseppe Bergomi were in great form, put out a formidable barrier at the back.

Bergomi came on after only four minutes for Alessandro Nesta who injured himself in a tackle with Pfeifenberger.

That tackle set the tone for the match which was never pretty to watch but at least for the Italians gave them the satisfaction of qualifying for the next stage.

Italian coach Cesare Maldini said today he wanted to savour his team8217;s progress to the last 16 before turning his attention to the second round.8220;Let8217;s enjoy this victory, let8217;s enjoy the qualification. We8217;ll have plenty of time to think about the second round,8221; he said after Italy8217;s win which gave them top spot in Group B.

They have avoided world champions Brazil and will play either Scotland, Morocco or Norway in Paris on Saturday.