HAMBURG, Germany -- Things are falling into place for the Italians, and it couldn't come at a better time.

News photoUkraine's Andriy Shevchenko applauds to supporters as he walks off the field at the end of a World Cup quarterfinal match against Italy in Hamburg. KYODO PHOTOS

Forward Luca Toni is scoring -- two in this game -- and looking more like the man who found the net 31 times in the Italian League last season. Francesco Totti, their fantatista, finally flickered into life, and their defense looked nearly impregnable in the 3-0 victory over Ukraine on Friday night.