<p>SOFIA, Bulgaria — A perfect 10 wins in 10 matches in European Championship qualifying and now two for two in World Cup qualifying.</p>
<p>Italy has clearly bounced back from its devastating failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.</p>
<p>The Azzurri won 2-0 in Bulgaria on Sunday with goals from Andrea Belotti and Manuel Locatelli to follow up on a victory over Northern Ireland three days earlier.</p>
<p>The Azzurri, who have also qualified for the Nations League final four, extended their unbeaten streak overall to 24 games.</p>
<p>Italy moved atop Group C, three points ahead of Switzerland, which was still playing Lithuania.</p>
<p>The start of the Switzerland-Lithuania game was delayed, apparently because one of the goals was not high enough.</p>
<p>Belotti earned a first-half penalty following what appeared to be a light foul from Daniel Dimov after a throughball from Lorenzo Insigne.</p>
<p>Belotti then blasted the spot kick inside the left past, beyond the reach of Plamen Iliev, even though the goalkeeper lunged in the right direction.</p>
<p>Italy protested for another penalty in the second half after more — harder — contact with Belotti but the referee signaled to play on.</p>
<p>Belotti then hit the post after lobbing over the goalkeeper, and fired over the rebound over the bar.</p>
<p>Locatelli, a second-half substitute, curled in a shot after a well-worked team move that began with a backheel pass from Marco Verratti. It was the 23-year-old Locatelli’s first national team goal.</p>
<p>It marked Italy’s first win in Bulgaria on its fifth attempt, following three draws and a loss. </p>
<p>Bulgaria remained without any points after losing its opener to Switzerland.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Italy visits Lithuania and Bulgaria visits Northern Ireland.</p>
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