Italy discovered a potential World Cup hero last night as Francesco Moriero scored two stunning goals in a friendly win over Paraguay in Parma. Paraguay were caught napping early as Paolo Maldini dived unmarked to head Del Piero's free kick past goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert at the far post.

The second came when Moriero surged down the middle as he led a rapid counter-attack before feeding the ball wide for Dino Baggio.

Baggio crossed into the middle and Moriero, with his back to the goal, leapt into the air for a bicycle kick from around the penalty spot which sent the ball past Chilavert and into the corner of the net.

Chilavert dropped Del Piero's curling free-kick in the 35th minute and had to palm the ball away.

With the match well in hand, and a number of changes made, Italy seemed to lack bite in the second half and were made to pay for a momentary lapse in the 52nd minute.

Reserve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon hardly moved as Costacurta's glancing header flashed past him.

But Inter Milan's Moriero eased the tension with his glorious shot which, despite the distance, gave Chilavert no real chance.

Italy: Peruzzi, Nesta, Maldini, D Baggio, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Moriero, Albertini, Vieri, Del Piero, Di Matteo.

Paraguay: Chilavert, Sarabia, Alberto Gamarra, Acuna, Rojas, Benitez, Enciso, Aguilera, Ramirez, Caniza, Arce.