Alberto Gilardino scored a hat-trick in the last 13 minutes as Italy fought back from two goals down to beat Cyprus 3-2 and conclude their World Cup qualifying campaign in memorable style.<br /><br />
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<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 8pt">Italy's Alberto Gilardino celebrates after scoring during their World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Parma last night. Pic/Getty Images</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>The reigning world champions were made to work after Yiannis Okkas opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Chrysostomos Michail extended Cyprus' advantage early in the second half.<br /><br />Fiorentina frontman Gilardino, whose last-gasp equaliser against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday clinched top spot in Group Eight, produced the heroics to spare Italy an embarrassing result.<br /><br />He reduced the deficit 12 minutes from time, adding the equaliser three minutes later, before scoring the winner in the dying seconds.<br /><br />The result means Italy finished five points clear of second-placed Ireland, who were held to a goalless draw by Montenegro in Dublin.

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Alberto Gilardino scored a hat-trick in the last 13 minutes as Italy fought back from two goals down to beat Cyprus 3-2 and conclude their World Cup qualifying campaign in memorable style.

Alberto shines for Italy

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Alberto shines for Italy

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