foxsports
Alberto Gilardino filled in well for the suspended Mario Balotelli as Italy beat Bulgaria 1-0 Friday to move within one win of qualifying for the World Cup with two matches to spare.
Gilardino put Italy ahead in the 38th minute with a header from close range following a delicately lifted cross from Antonio Candreva.
The Azzurri were also helped when Armenia stunned the Czech Republic 2-1 with a goal from Gevorg Ghazaryan in added time - handing the Czechs a major blow to their qualifying chances.
Also, Denmark won 2-1 at Malta with an own goal ending up being the decider.
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Italy leads Group B with 17 points and Bulgaria is next with 10. Armenia, the Czech Republic and Denmark have nine points each while Malta is last with three.
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