Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was delighted with their victory over Northern Ireland.

AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano struck a double in the 3-0 win.

Prandelli hailed the "balanced" Italy side that dominated possession, scored three goals and kept another clean sheet.

"Obviously when you dominate possession, it often happens that you can concede on the counter-attack, but we kept a good tempo and balance, so we're happy," he told Rai Sport.

The 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland completed the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with eight wins, two draws, only two goals conceded and 20 scored.

"Tonight we were always concentrated and the thing I liked most was how aggressive we were on the first ball. We never allowed Northern Ireland to push.

"I think three goals is enough, so it's not as if we struggled to create chances. There was an opponent to be respected and the important thing was not to give the ball away."