Luca Toni provided an emphatic reality check for Scotland last night with two headed goals that reaffirmed the enormity of Alex McLeish's task in negotiating the perilous journey through Euro 2008 qualification in Group B.

The Fiorentina centre forward pricked the Tartan Army from their dream bubble hours after Ukraine made their statement of intent with a 1-0 win against Lithuania to join Scotland and France on 12 points. The congestion makes maximum points essential for Scotland in their June fixture against the Faroes, in Toftir, and four points from six a minimum requirement in the September double-header against Lithuania, at Hampden, and France in the Parc des Princes.

There was much to savour in Scotland's efforts inside the cavernous Stadio San Nicola and no shame in losing respectfully to the holders of football's greatest prize.

The Italians were cut from a finer cloth and ultimately had too much style for the Scots. For all their imagination, Toni struck with all the subtlety of an anvil. Stephen McManus, who retained his place ahead of Steven Pressley, learned the distinction between a European foul and a legitimate SPL challenge. He was punished by the Belgian referee, Frank De Bleeckere, for winning a challenge with excessive force and Toni's brute strength forced the opener and concluded matters in 72 matters.

To McLeish's credit, predictions of a night of willing absorption proved ill-founded. Within his 4-5-1 shape Scotland were afforded the freedom of expression. Scott Brown, as expected, was promoted after an auspicious cameo against Georgia but his was far from a defensive deployment. The Hibernian midfielder was a thrilling sight in support of Kenny Miller, with a verve and assuredness that vindicated his inclusion before succumbing to a hamstring strain near the end. At 21, he showed a comfort in such company that perhaps even surpassed his manager's expectations.

Barry Ferguson revelled in the physical and technical engagement beside a subdued Paul Hartley, but, for all the captain's authority, Italy emphasised their blend of elegance and brawn. It could have been worse, much worse, for Scotland. Craig Gordon overcame a harrowing season at Hearts to imitate his idol at the opposite end of the field.

A self-confessed aficionado of Serie A, Gordon even favours the three-quarter length sleeved jersey made fashionable by Gianluigi Buffon. With Scotland committed to procuring parity, he contributed a pair of exceptional stops from Antonio Di Natale of which the world's costliest goalkeeper would have been proud.

Scotland received an early and most unexpected psychological boost. Andrea Pirlo, vanquisher in Milan two years ago with two awesome free-kicks, was staggeringly dropped to the bench after a training-ground fall-out with Roberto Donadoni, the beleaguered coach. But Scotland would again curse the concession of a preventable and ostensibly soft set-piece.

As if Donadoni was not already under enough strain, the pre-match entertainment served only to heighten the pressure on a manager greying by the day. Glory, Glory Italia, the catchy, celebratory World Cup anthem was played on loop, lest Donadoni forgot the weighty expectations demanded of the successor to the immortalised Marcello Lippi.

Iconic images of an imperious Lippi were relayed on the huge, but somewhat dated, jumbo-screens in honour of his feats in Germany. There was no hiding place for one of the few managers in world football who would trade places with Steve McClaren in search of some respite.

The Stadio San Nicola is out of this world, in as much as it resembles the mothership fantasised over by Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters of a Third Kind. The Tartan Army must have resembled Extra-Terrestrial beings to the Azzurri; bedecked in tartan, Glengarry hats and shuffling like aliens after a day on the supposedly prohibited batter.

Italy's threat quickly became apparent. Their trequartisi of the majestic Mauro Camoranesi, understated Simone Perrotta and the exquisite Di Natale glided effortlessly around their patch, finding Toni with an attractive array of intricate passes when permitted.

McManus was to have an eventful evening. He began his chores with a rousing challenge, shadowing Toni's run and averting danger clinically after Di Natale's sumptuous slewed pass. The referee took a dim view of their next encounter. McManus raced out to tackle Toni. He won the ball cleanly but De Bleeckere awarded a harsh free kick.

Massimo Oddo's delivery drifted inward and was met emphatically by the perennially problematic powerhouse. The arrears unburdened Scotland. Thereafter, they had nothing to protect and plenty to gain. Too often, Scotland's endeavours collapsed around the fumbling feet of Miller, who beavered commendably but to little avail. In one instance, his honesty was questionable after receiving a Teale pass to a hefty rap on the ankles from Marco Materazzi. He stood up stubbornly where his opponents would have crumbled expectantly.

After surviving an identical free-kick to one which produced the opener, Scotland finished the half in debit but rich in promise. Hartley's flick to Miller was turned across goal but evaded Lee McCulloch's outstretched boot by inches, while Gary Naysmith's handsome delivery from the opposite flank was glanced wastefully wide by Miller.

Italy re-emerged intent on quelling Scotland's enthusiasm but Gordon flung a hand then a boot to thwart the stealthy Di Natale. Still, McLeish's troopers refused to wilt. Shaun Maloney replaced a toiling Teale, while Donadoni sacrificed Di Natale for the beloved Alessandro Del Piero.

Toni ended the plucky challenge. Camoranesi's cross evaded David Weir and the Fiorentina forward's downward header consigned Scotland to an honourable defeat.