FIFA World Cup 2010 Update : Slovakia Defeat Italy To Progress to Knockout Phase

Friday, 25 June 2010 02:31 Siddharth Panjwani

Slovakia registered their first ever World Cup win beating the defending champions, ITALY, and secured a place in the top 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2010. iSporter Siddharth Panjawani reports.

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Italy never looked comfortable in this tournament and their bad form continued.

Both Italy and France, finalists of the 2006, had a disappointing tournament and did not manage to register a win and failed to move to knock-out stages of the tournament. For the first time in World Cup history, both the finalists are out of the World Cup in the league stages.

Italy needed a win today to move to the round of 16 but was denied that place due to bad man-marking and lethargic defending. Slovakian forward line managed to net three past inexperienced Federico Marchetti.

Slovakian men managed to hold the ball in initial stages of the game and mount pressure on the champions. Italian defence was shoddily exposed when Robert Vittek got one past Italian stopper Marchetti in the 25^th minute. Slovakia dominated the first half and created two neat chances converting one and were leading 1-0 at half time

Genaro Gattuso, who announced his retirement, got his first game this tournament but failed to impress and was substituted at half time. Fabio Quagliarella was brought on for him and was a star for the Azzuri's in second half.

Antonio Di Natale pulled one back in the 82^nd minute after goalkeeper parried Quagliarella's shot. The pair again created a brilliant move in the 84^th minute and found the net but Quagliarella was ruled offside.

He looked perilous in the closing minutes and unleashed a thunderbolt in 92^nd minute to give Italy some hope. They needed a draw to move to the next round but dint manage to equalise in the remaining minutes and ended their campaign in disappointment.

The decisions did not go the Azzuri's way when they were denied two goals, one of offside in the 84^th minute and the other when the ball was cleared of the line by a Slovakian defender.

The ball had crossed the line but was ruled against the champions. All in all a disappointing end for the Azzuri's and the dream run continues for the Slovakians.