FINAL SCORE - Match #11 (GROUP F) -
ITALY - 1
(De Rossi 63')
PARAGUAY - 1
(Alcaraz 39')
And so the Italian diesel engine starts its revving in yet another WC. The reason I said diesel engine is because they are notorious for being slow starters in most of the WC Finals they have been in. The 4 time champions looked rusty but there was no stopping their attacks at the Paraguayan goal. Overall, they would be slightly disappointed with the draw.
Paraguay on the other hand would be delighted. Going into the lead and then hanging on to the draw in what would be their toughest match of the group is surely a plus for them. Despite two attacking moves by bringing in Cardozo & Santa Cruz in the final 22 minutes, they had a change of tactics in the final 5-6 mins and settled to fight out the draw.
The Azurri need to improve. The South Americans will be thrilled.
And I am off to bed.