Defending champion Italy was knocked out of the World Cup on Thursday, when they lost to Slovakia 3–2 in easily the most thrilling match of the tournament so far.
With France’s exit, both of 2006’s World Cup finalists failed to make it past the group stage.
The hero for Slovakia was Robert Vittek who scored two goals. Goalkeeper Jan Mucha was also instrumental in thwarting the Italian attacks in the second half.
“This is a huge win. We’ve pushed the boundaries of Slovakian football. We never would have dared dream of this,” said Vittek on FIFA.com
Slovakia, who needed to win, to move into the round of 16 came out with a purpose while Italy started off dreadfully. Lacking creativity in midfield the Italians were unable to gain a foothold in the first half.
“I assume complete responsibility for this failure. I was convinced this squad could do a lot better than that—not win the World Cup, but do a lot better,” said Italy head coach Marcello Lippi on FIFA.com.
“I offer my apologies to Italian sport, the players, the football association—everyone. I’m very sad that my adventure with the Italian football association has come to an end in this fashion.”
In the 25th minute, Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi gave the ball away far too easily. Then, Vittek took a nice pass and slid a shot past the outstretched arm of Federico Marchetti and into the far side of the net.
In the second half, Italy made some necessary changes. On came Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale, and Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo, who had been struggling with a calf injury had to be used to generate something in midfield.
While Italy went for an all-out attack, Slovakia was dangerous on the counterattack. They made it 2–0 when Vittek slotted a centering pass in at the near post in the 73rd minute.
Slovakia then seemed to take over the game completely as Italy looked devoid of any ideas. But then in 81st minute, off a nicely worked play, Di Natale put home a rebound into an open net and the drama began.
Quagliarella then had a goal ruled off for offside. Italy also had had a shot cleared off the line in the first half.
Slovakia came back with a third goal off a throw-in as substitute Kamil Kopunek lifted a ball just over Marchetti. Surely, that was game, set, and match.
But barely three minutes after Kopunek’s goal, Quagliarella placed a perfect shot high and over Mucha to make the score 3–2 Slovakia.
With barely two minutes to play in extra time, Italy tried everything to get one more goal. Slovak players started dropping like flies to run out the clock. The tension was palpable.
In the end, Simone Pepe had a terrific opportunity at the far post off a long throw-in but he sliced his shot wide of the target.
“We showed today that we also know how to play attacking football. Italy were undoubtedly surprised by how we performed and what we were able to do. The difference between this match and our last two games was that as well as trying to play football, this time we did it with heart,” said Slovakia’s Erik Jendrisek.
Slovakia hung on for their first victory at a World Cup and a place in the round of 16. They finished second in Group F to Paraguay, who drew with New Zealand 0–0. New Zealand had worn their “All-Black” uniforms similar to their famous rugby team.
Slovakia will face Netherlands in the round of 16 on Monday while Paraguay will face Japan on Tuesday.
In Group E, Netherlands finished on top with a perfect 3–0–0 record after beating Cameroon 2–1. The African nation lost all three of its matches and was technically eliminated after its first two. Japan stunned Denmark 3–1 to finish with six points and second place in Group E.
With France’s exit, both of 2006’s World Cup finalists failed to make it past the group stage.
The hero for Slovakia was Robert Vittek who scored two goals. Goalkeeper Jan Mucha was also instrumental in thwarting the Italian attacks in the second half.
“This is a huge win. We’ve pushed the boundaries of Slovakian football. We never would have dared dream of this,” said Vittek on FIFA.com
Slovakia, who needed to win, to move into the round of 16 came out with a purpose while Italy started off dreadfully. Lacking creativity in midfield the Italians were unable to gain a foothold in the first half.
“I assume complete responsibility for this failure. I was convinced this squad could do a lot better than that—not win the World Cup, but do a lot better,” said Italy head coach Marcello Lippi on FIFA.com.
“I offer my apologies to Italian sport, the players, the football association—everyone. I’m very sad that my adventure with the Italian football association has come to an end in this fashion.”
In the 25th minute, Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi gave the ball away far too easily. Then, Vittek took a nice pass and slid a shot past the outstretched arm of Federico Marchetti and into the far side of the net.
In the second half, Italy made some necessary changes. On came Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale, and Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo, who had been struggling with a calf injury had to be used to generate something in midfield.
While Italy went for an all-out attack, Slovakia was dangerous on the counterattack. They made it 2–0 when Vittek slotted a centering pass in at the near post in the 73rd minute.
Slovakia then seemed to take over the game completely as Italy looked devoid of any ideas. But then in 81st minute, off a nicely worked play, Di Natale put home a rebound into an open net and the drama began.
Quagliarella then had a goal ruled off for offside. Italy also had had a shot cleared off the line in the first half.
Slovakia came back with a third goal off a throw-in as substitute Kamil Kopunek lifted a ball just over Marchetti. Surely, that was game, set, and match.
But barely three minutes after Kopunek’s goal, Quagliarella placed a perfect shot high and over Mucha to make the score 3–2 Slovakia.
With barely two minutes to play in extra time, Italy tried everything to get one more goal. Slovak players started dropping like flies to run out the clock. The tension was palpable.
In the end, Simone Pepe had a terrific opportunity at the far post off a long throw-in but he sliced his shot wide of the target.
“We showed today that we also know how to play attacking football. Italy were undoubtedly surprised by how we performed and what we were able to do. The difference between this match and our last two games was that as well as trying to play football, this time we did it with heart,” said Slovakia’s Erik Jendrisek.
Slovakia hung on for their first victory at a World Cup and a place in the round of 16. They finished second in Group F to Paraguay, who drew with New Zealand 0–0. New Zealand had worn their “All-Black” uniforms similar to their famous rugby team.
Slovakia will face Netherlands in the round of 16 on Monday while Paraguay will face Japan on Tuesday.
In Group E, Netherlands finished on top with a perfect 3–0–0 record after beating Cameroon 2–1. The African nation lost all three of its matches and was technically eliminated after its first two. Japan stunned Denmark 3–1 to finish with six points and second place in Group E.
