QINHUANGDAO, China — Italy secured itself a spot in the quarterfinals of the men's Olympic soccer tournament Sunday, beating South Korea 3-0 on goals from Giuseppe Rossi, Tommaso Rocchi and Riccardo Montolivo.

Rossi scored his second goal of the Olympics in the 15th minute, pouncing on the deflection of a shot from Rocchi and slotting a left-footed strike past South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong from 10 meters (yards).

Rocchi, who plays for Lazio and is the Italian Olympic team's only player over the age of 23, doubled the lead in the 32nd.

Defender Marco Motta slipped between South Korea's Kim Jung-woo and Kim Dong-jin and into the box, then fed back to the unmarked Rocchi to finish from 10 meters (yards) out.

The win gives Italy six points and assures it one of the top two spots in Group D.

Park Chu-young almost pulled on back for South Korea just before halftime, heading a cross from midfielder Kim Jung-woo onto the crossbar.

But that was a rare quality opportunity for the South Koreans, as Italy dominated possession and dictated the flow of play in the first 45 minutes. The Italians' talented attacking trio of Rossi, Rocchi and Sebastian Giovinco were a constant threat, while the team's well-organized back line effectively shut down a South Korea side that was undefeated in Olympic qualifying.

In the second half, Italy pulled back its midfielders to defend its lead, but Rossi, Rocchi and Giovinco still threatened up front, particularly on the counter.

Rossi latched onto a through ball from Rocchi a minute after the break, but his chip sailed wide of the goal, while Giovinco hit a curling free kick in the 60th that forced a sliding save from Jung at the near post.

Cheered on by a loud contingent of fans who made up the majority of the crowd of 28,000 at Qinhuangdao Olympic Center Stadium, South Korea tried to push forward in search of goal, but Italy effectively closed down any foray deep into their territory.

The South Koreans best chance came in the 65th, when Park made a flowing run from midfield, cut down the right side and crossed in to striker Lee Keun-ho, but the ball rolled just past the sliding Lee's outstretched foot.

But it was Montolivo who found the net, finishing off the scoring with an injury-time goal after a run by substitute Robert Acquafresca down the right side.

Italy plays Cameroon in Tianjin in its last Group D match. South Korea, which has one point from its opening draw with Cameroon, must beat Honduras on Wednesday in Shanghai to have any hope of advancing.