Italy cruised to a simple 4-0 win over San Marino in an international friendly match on Friday night.

Andrea Poli broke the deadlock before Alberto Gilardino made it 2-0 with his first goal for Italy since 2010. Andrea Pirlo netted the goal of the game with a stunning free-kick after the break and Alberto Aquilani completed the win.

San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Junior Simoncini was pumped up early on as he denied Giacomo Bonaventura before pulling off an even better save to keep out Aquilani.

Christian Maggio then saw a goal chalked off for offside just moments after Alessandro Diamanti saw his strike kept out by the goalkeeper.

Simoncini continued to frustrate the Italians as he prevented a superb volley from Gilardino from crossing the line but in the 27th minute Poli finally broke the deadlock when he produced a cool finish after latching onto a loose ball.

Ten minutes later Italy were 2-0 up when Gilardino tucked away the rebound after Aquilani had drawn a save out of the goalkeeper.

Italy made various changes at the break but they remained in control and Pirlo would sink a stunning 30-yard free-kick five minutes in to kill off the tie.

Mario Balotelli hit the post in the 65th minute and Aquilani would complete the win 14 minutes later when he tapped home from a yard out.

San Marino were never in the game as Italy ran out comfortable winners ahead of their World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic.