By FRANCO PANIZO
Italy entered the World Cup hoping to go into the history books for becoming just the third team to ever successfully defend its title. While Italy did make history at this World Cup, it wasn't for that reason.
Italy was eliminated from Group F on Wednesday as it lost to Slovakia, 3-2, in a game that ended in thrilling fashion. The loss not only saw Italy finish at the bottom of the group, it also gave the Azzurri, along with France, the distinct title of becoming the first pair of teams to fail to make it out of their groups after being World Cup finalists in the previous tournament.
Slovakia will be joined by group leader Paraguay in the Round of the 16, as the South Americans secured advancement into the second round with a 0-0 draw with New Zealand. The All Whites may not have advanced, but they'll likely have their heads held high after not losing a match in the group.
Here are brief recaps from Group F's games as well as the group's bext XI:
PARAGUAY ADVANCES WITH SCORELESS DRAW
It wasn't the most thrilling game at this World Cup, but for Paraguay it was one to remember.
In a rather dull affair, Paraguay won Group F with a 0-0 draw against New Zealand. The draw marked the third World Cup in the last four that the Paraguayans have reached the second round (the team did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup), and also continued South America's dominance in this tournament.
New Zealand showed more urgency in the waning moments of the match, but by then it was too late to salvage its World Cup hopes of reaching the second round. Regardless of being eliminated, New Zealand will take confidence in knowing it didn't lose a match at this World Cup after being labeled one of the tournament's minnows.
SLOVAKIA ELIMINATES ITALY, 3-2
Facing a must-win situation, Slovakia secured its place in the Round of 16 after a feisty, intense and breathtaking 3-2 victory over reigning World Cup champion Italy.
Robert Vittek netted his first of two goals in the first half after a costly turnover by Italy in its own half. Vittek would add to the lead by scoring from close range in the 73rd off a pass from Marek Hamsik.
Italy responded through an Antonio Di Natale rebound in the 81st, but gave up a third goal to second-half substitute Kamil Kopunek. Kopunek made a well-timed run on a throw-in to catch the Azzurri defense sleeping before beautifully chipping the ball over goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
Italy would again pull one back, as Fabio Quagliarella delicately lofted a shot over Jan Mucha in the 92nd minute. Simone Pepe then had a last-gasp chance to equalize, but he failed to get good contact on the ball.
GROUP D FINAL TABLE
1. Paraguay……….5 points, +2 goal differential
2. Slovakia……….4 points, -1 goal differential
3. New Zealand……….3 points, 0 goal differential
4. Italy……….2 points, -1 goal differential
SBI's GROUP F BEST XI:
—————–Vittek——–Smeltz—————
—-Vera——-Riveros—–De Rossi—–Hamsik—-
—-Alcaraz——Skrtel——-Nelsen——–Reid—-
————————-Paston————————
———
Who do you think will go further in the knockout stages, Paraguay or Slovakia? Surprised by Italy's elimination? Impressed by New Zealand's performance at the World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
I said some mean things about Algeria and Slovenia yesterday that I regret. However, I have to say that Italy did not show up for this tournament and can only blame themselves for losing out.
Well some will aim higher like Rossi, and some will be dumped on by Wrongen, like Subotic, so I am afrai you are too optimistic.
But our balance of trade figures should get better and better – rising young stars with dual national status will think twice about opting for the old world when the guy on the block are going further in cup and – most shocking – playing a better brand of soccer.
Yeah our d had been solid as a rock.
Or not.
And our forwards are the scoring leaders.
Or not.
OK, our goalies and middies are holding up well!
So yeah we could have benefitted from both Rossi and Subotic, and they from us, but too late now. US goes on and Subotic goes home…to Germany. And Rossi probably never left jersey Shore.
It is a fact that Italy, France, and Serbia suffered for their unwillingness to include younger players. For the USA, it is very sweet to see us succeed without players like Rossi and Subotic. The U.S. system definitely does not need players that try to be bigger than the team. If we can win one or two more games, there is no doubt that we will be a international force. Dual nationals would be crazy not to stay with team USA.
saw
The France and Italy train wrecks many saw from miles away.
Give BB credit, he wasn’t afraid to cut loose old deadwood.
Admittedly France’s and Italy’s old deadwood is several class above ours (Cannavaro or Heydude?), but both coaches messed up trying to rewind the clock to 2006 rather than refresh their squads.
I guess Italy and France just ran out of ways to cheat. I am loving their complete disgrace and failure because they are the most shameless nations in soccer.
I am so glad this Cup has become about great effort, team comradarie and passion. France and Italy had stolen all the fun out of the game with it’s cheating, match fixing, diving, playing the referee and gamesmanship. What a breath of fresh air to see teams like Uraguay, Brazil, United States, Holland play the game the way it was intended.
Not to jump too far ahead, but did anyone notice that if we beat Ghana we have the winner of Uraguay and South Korea waiting. Can anyone dare to start thinking final four?
Dear Giuseppe Rossi,
Have fun watching at home when the US plays in the knockout stages!
Sincerely,
USMNT Fans
If I recall correctly, UEFA did the seeding, not FIFA.
How about the brilliant minds at ESPN the Magazine? The Giusseppe Rossi cover and The Rise of African Soccer cover. Way to find the hot story beats guys! You guys were all over it!
The only sad outcome of this great day, is that Sepp Blatter and FIFA aka arm of UEFA will make sure that the world cup will go to Europe every year instead of rotating like it should.
I think both Rossi and Benzema and maybe Nasri could have rescued France and Italy. If Serbia bothered using their best defender of the World Cup (Subotic) they would not have finished last in their group. Great for US fans, but sad for the other countries and especially stupid decisions by the three old and worthless coaches.
he did once.
He who shall not be named
no creo pinchi jotos, mexico nunca va a ganar un titulo mundial!! a llorar, a llorar, todos los mexicanos a LLORAR!!!
Wasn’t the Italian side screaming out for a player like Rossi and not the same old boring trees like Iaquinta?
Rossi being left off the team I think doomed them. Think if they had Rossi and Di Natalie running circles around the defenders in their group.
I’m glad Italy AND France are out. Good riddance.
Seriously, does anybody care? …about anything Italian right now?
I said the same thing to my buddies as we watched the game. Could not have happened to a more deserved team. I am positive the everyone who isn’t from Italy thought the same thing.
France gone, now Italy, US advancing and coming on strong, this must be a dream.
Get off your soapbox.
I also hope that this early departure by Italy and France causes FIFA to reconsider their “aiding” of big name teams to get into the cup. (e.g., seeding European playoffs after they said they wouldn’t)
I doubt it, but it’d be nice if in the future all teams had an equal chance.
Offended? Seriously?
Enough of the hyphens. You are either Slovakian or American, pick one! That goes for the Ital-Amers, the Afric-Amers, the Mexi-Amers and so forth.
Pick a passport; stick with it.
Italy should count themselves lucky the didn’t finish with 1 point. The penalty call that went to them in the New Zealand game was pretty weak and mostly a flop job.
Conversely that penalty kept NZ from advancing and should hold Italy in ill-repute.
Don’t hold your breath! I hope it happens to the cheating, cry babies boludo Argentinians!!!
If by fine, you mean watching the US play the team they should have beaten in group play.
Ives, honestly? You wrote that the Italians crashed out to slovenia. As a Slovakian-American I am offended that you cant even remember the name of the country that sent a giant like Italy out of the world cup.
I would say Lippi’s biggest liability was relying on Cannavaro–he is well past it. It would have been hard though for Lippi to banish the captain of the team that won just four years ago. Age kills at the World Cup level. That’s why I was amazed that people were clamoring for Pirlo–he is also past it, but he did have some good (and bad) moments today.
how is Subotic still playing? Serbia was eliminated yesterday and Subotic never even made it off the bench.
HAHAHA! NICE! This had me dying for a bit, then i told my brother, and he started laughing also, thanks, i was already feelin good of them not advancing, now i feel even better =] good shiznizzle
+1
And I hope to see it happen to Mexico soon as well.
It’s C’E Capitano.
doing fine with Serbia? They came in last in their group and Subotic didn’t even get in that last game.
I’d say he’s questioning his choice, or at least I would be
_________ ______ may have been able to help them, but they didn’t want him. Too bad for ______.
Subotic seems to be doing fine with Serbia.
I don’t see why we should be crying over Rossi, we’re doing okay without him.
Most people have the privilege of living with their decisions. Right now Subotic is still playing, Rossi is chilling in Teaneck, NJ. Maybe the Azzurri will stop by before returning to Italy.
This is what happens when you have old stubborn outdated Coaches, who always think they know best based on their long drawn out resumes. These Old farts should not be allowed to wreck teams because of their stubborn and egomaniac personalities. Italy has better players sitting at home that this old far refused to include in his team for stupid reseason. the Day any US coach comes here and try to pull a Dummynec or a Lippi I’ll start a riot.
Who thought that we would have the top 2 finishers in 2006 out of the WC in the group stages?! Both teams performed at a pathetic level and deserve the outcome.
Good RIDDANCE.
And great result for US with Charlie Davies almost losing his life as well in a tragic car crash
Che Cannavaroooo! Che Capitanooooooo! Love it
I am over joyed. I despise the Italian side. How many exciting, inspiring team have been killed by their tactics and cynical play?
ps. Couldn’t get enough of the Italians bellowing about Slovakia’s playacting and time-wasting by the end of the match. PRiceless.
whats the difference between the Azzuri and a tea bag?
The tea bag stays in the Cup longer! 🙂
Amen. Lletget, were you watching?
I hope this encourages future players like Subotic and Rossi to reconsider snubbing the USA
I was happy to see Slovakia go through, but more thrilled that a top dog went down. I wonder if Rossi is asking Lippi how his *** tastes now. 🙂
They could have uses Rossi’s fresh, young legs. The looked old, tired and no heart.
I didn’t get to watch the games this morning but I thought Montolivo had a much better tournament than Hamsik up to this point. I personally would swap those two out in the best 11 with the one caveat. Any thoughts from others?
Italy finished last in a group of Paraguay, Slovakia, and New Zealand(!). Pathetic.
Awesome goal from DiNatale, but how about Paraguay? Great result despite their best player, Cabañas, being shot in the head months ago.
I am shocked New Zealand finished above Italy.
I don’t condone faking injuries to waste time, but to see Slovakia do that to the Italians – the kings of diving and time wasting – was very satisfying. I’m glad they’re out and that they finished last in their group.
Che Cannavaro! This failure was 3 games in the making. Has Italy ever finished last in their group?
Ah, Spain be wary lest ye suffer the same fate…