World champions Italy beat Scotland 2-1 in a crucial Euro 2008 Group B qualifier at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday, and along with World Cup finalists France, who play Ukraine on Wednesday, are through to the Euro 2008 finals to be held in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

The world champions took the lead in the second minute as Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni scored after being set up by Antonio Di Natale.

Scotland fought back to equalise in the 65th minute through Barry Ferguson as he made no mistake to latch onto a fumble from Gianluigi Buffon after Lee McCulloch had an initial attempt.

Italy scored the winner in the stoppage time as Christian Panucci scored with an header from a free-kick by Andrea Pirlo to leave Alexander Mcleish’s side heartbroken.