Champions Italy knocked out of World Cup
The Source: JOHANNESBURG/ http://www.nation.co.ke/World Cup/hadhramaut.info/t - 24/06/2010
Home \
Sport News
Reigning champions Italy crashed out of the World Cup on Thursday, losing 3-2 to Slovakia, who reached the last 16 along with Paraguay who drew 0-0 with Group F rivals New Zealand.
Robert Vittek was Slovakia's hero with two goals before Kamil Kopunek's clincher against a poor Italian side who finished bottom of the group and for whom Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella netted consolation strikes.
Paraguay topped the group after their stalemate with New Zealand left them on five points to four points for the Slovaks, who are appearing in their first finals as a separate country.
Italy's demise - and the added humiliation of finishing bottom of the group - was the first time since 2002 that the World Cup holders failed to get through the group stage.
In a dramatic match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Vittek's first goal came when he ran onto Juraj Kucka's pass and rifled the ball home hard and low from the edge of the box after 25 minutes.
The Slovak striker pounced again in the 73rd minute, knocking in a cross.
Slovak defender Martin Skrtel stopped a shot on the line, but some of the Italian players argued the ball had crossed the line.
Di Natale pulled Italy back into the match nine minutes before the end and, in a frantic finish, Quagliarella had the ball in the net from close range, but it was disallowed for offside.
Kamil Kopunek lobbed Italian 'keeper Federico Marchetti five minutes before the final whistle to make it 3-1, but Quagliarella's long-range shot gave Italy hope before the Slovaks were sent into wild celebrations at the end.
Paraguay snuffed out New Zealand's hopes in a lacklustre game in Polokwane, but the Kiwis exit the competition without losing a match.
|