FULL TIME - Match #41 (GROUP F) -
SLOVAKIA - 3
(Vittek 25', 73')
(Kopunek 89')
ITALY - 2
(Di Natale 81')
(Quagliarella 90'+2')
FULL TIME - Match #42 (GROUP F) -
PARAGUAY - 0
NEW ZEALAND - 0
Yes it's official folks - THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS OF 2006 ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP IN THE FIRST ROUND ITSELF!!
Honestly, they deserved to be out. In all 3 matches, the Azurri looked a very pale shadow of the team which won the 2006 WC. They were unimpressive and lacking motivation in this match too, from the first 40 minutes which I had seen them.
The Slovakians were very impressive. They deserve their win totally.
In the other match, Paraguay and New Zealand fought out a draw. Which meant Paraguay topped this group with Slovakia coming second, while New Zealand finished over Italy.
A very strange coincidence, this. Both Defending Champions and the Finalist teams of 2006 are out in the First Round itself in this edition. Goes to show that rankings don't mean anything - the team which plays superior football on its day, takes the win.
Bye bye to both Les Bleus and the Azurri.