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Vieri double as Italy beat Ecuador

Off the mark: Number one for Vieri

SAPPORO, Japan (CNN) -- Striker Christian Vieri scored twice as Italy coasted to a 2-0 victory over World Cup newcomers Ecuador in Sapporo.

It took the Azurri just seven minutes to open their account in Group G in Sapporo, Vieri firing a first-time shot into the roof of the net after strike partner Francesco Totti cut the ball back from the byline.

And with Ecuador looking flat in defence, the second on 26 minutes came as no surprise. Vierri ran onto a long ball and held off a defender, and although keeper Jose Cevallos blocked his shot, the forward ran in the rebound.

Vierri had earlier missed another clear chance, slicing a shot wide at full stretch.

Totti tested Cevallos with a drive and also slammed a free-kick past the post.

Vieri acknowledges the crowd after his opening goal

The one-way traffic continued in the second half. Damiano Tommasi's long range shot was tipped over and from the corner Cristiano Doni headed against the bar.

Vieri, pushing for a hat-trick, had a fierce shot fisted out by the keeper.

Ecuador showed some neat approach play at times but rarely threatened the Italian goal. Agustin Delgado wasted their best chance two minutes from time when a deflection put him clean on goal but a reaction save from Gianluigi Buffon forced the ball out for a corner.

In the other Group G match on Monday, Mexico beat Croatia 1-0. (Full story)

Italy Gianluigi Buffon; Christian Panucci, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini; Gianluca Zambrotta; Damiano Tommasi, Luigi Di Biagio, Cristiano Doni; Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri

Ecuador Jose Cevallos; Ulises De la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Augusto Porozo, Raul Guerron; Edwin Tenorio, Alfonso Obregon, Cleber Chala, Edison Mendez, Alex Aguinaga; Agustin Delgado

Referee Brian Hall (United States)