FIFA World Cup 2010, Group F: Another World Cup Upset as Slovakia Beats Italy 3-2
The 2010 FIFA World Cup continues to amaze us, as the defending world champions, Italy, were sent packing by the un-fancied Slovakians, in what is touted to be the best match of the World Cup so far. Who could have imagined a 3-2 defeat for the world champions against Slovakia? Well, this is what the World Cup is all about: thrilling matches and thrilling upsets.
Italy, though, were boosted by the return of Andrea Pirlo, who has been an integral part of their midfield for a while.
Now let’s see what transpired on the pitch. The first sight of goal for Italy came when striker Vincenzo Iaquinta was through in the early stages, but he could not control his shot and sliced it wide, which can be put down to early match nerves.
Napoli's Marek Hamsik had the next best chance of the match, and almost scored against the country he plays in, but the midfielder’s volley from 16 yards went wide.
Italy were not offering much at that point, and it was pretty much all Slovakia. Slovakia's Zdenko Strba went in a little late on Rino Gattuso, catching the midfielder a bit ugly, that resulted in a yellow card, ruling him out of the last-16 clash.
But then came the moment that the Italians may be thinking about for at least the next 4 years: Daniele De Rossi gave the ball away and Marek Hamsik slipped in a little pass in for Robert Vittek right at the edge of the Italian 6 yard box. The striker showed immense composure and slid the ball past Federico Marchetti to take the surprise lead, leaving Italy rattled.
Fabio Cannavaro, soon after the goal, barged into Juraj Kucka, and picked up a yellow card, which showed the utter frustration the team was going through.
But it was not quite over at that time, as the Italians have a record of not losing their last 5 matches in the World Cup in which they conceded first. Italy came back from 1-0 down against Nigeria in 1994 to win 2-1, levelled a match 1-1 against Mexico in 2002, in the last World Cup against France came back to level 1-1, and once again this year, levelled against Paraguay and New Zealand .
The first half ended at 1-0, and Italy knew they had to once again make a comeback if they were to stay in the World Cup.
After the break, there was double change for the desperate Italians, as Christian Maggio and Fabio Quagliarella came on for Rino Gattuso and Domenico Criscito.
Italy looked to be on the attack from the onset, but the Slovakians kept finding space on the counter to try and seal the match with a 2nd goal.
There was a lot more to come in the 2nd half though. Italy knew they only needed to score once if it remained 0-0 in the other game between Paraguay and New Zealand.
But it got worse for them with half an hour or so left in the match. Robert Vittek once again was the man for Slovakia; following a corner, the ball was lofted and a quick cross came in for Vittek, who tapped it in at the near post to all but seal the match.
Italy, though, continued to fight, and just minutes later Fabio Quagliarella showed quick feet to dance into the Slovakia box; after a neat one-two with Vincenzo Iaquinta, took the shot which was brilliantly saved by Jan Mucha. Antonio Di Natale, though, was on the spot to slot in the rebound.
Suddenly the match was alive again at 2-1. Italy needed one more to go through, but it was Slovakia who scored; as Italy committed too many men forward, Slovakia used a quick throw in to good effect, and Kamil Kopunek latched on to the ball and chipped it over the keeper.
But Italy once again came back with just 2 minutes to go. Fabio Quagliarella produced one of the best goals of the World Cup, with a divine chip from right outside the box catching the keeper off his line.
3-2 it was, and still Italy needed just one more; the world champions threw everything including the kitchen sink at Slovakia.
But it was not to be, as Slovakia held on and the match ended with the world champions ready to go home without making it to the last 16 of the World Cup. This is incidentally the first time both finalists of the previous World Cup were sent home without making it to the next round, as France also made an (embarrassing) exit from the World Cup, landing fourth on their group table.
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