Italy capped a mixed Group stages for the Azzurri squad with an impressive 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Hamburg. The defeat ejected the side ranked third in the World from the competition and set up a matchup in the second round for the Italians with the second placed team in Group F.
A goal from Inzaghi in the second half was enough to make the game safe as Materazzi who had replaced the injured Nesta in the first half had scored moments after being introduced.
The Czechs who suffered the heartache of defeat after not even qualifying for the World Cup in 2002 had Polak sent off during the first period of the game for a second bookable offense.
Italy took the initiative early in the game with both sides realizing a defeat would be enough to send them home but it was the Czechs who struck first in their bid to top the Group and eliminate Italy.
First Nedved and then Jankulovski tested Buffon in the Italian net but he was equal to the second effort after spilling the first from his Juve teammate.
Five minutes later though and the Italians went ahead through Materazzi' header. A corner whipped in by Totti was inviting enough for the Italian defender to get his head on and place it past Petr Cech in the Czech goal. It was a crushing blow for the side in white who had made arguably the better start to the game.
It was clear that the Czech’s were suffering because of the lack of a presence up front. With Koller injured in the first game it was difficult for Rosicky and Nedved to make runs forward as the ball was returned to the midfield area almost as soon as it was played up to the lone front man Milan Baros.
In extra time of the first half the story was about to get worse for the Czechs as their task was made more difficult by the ending off of Polak. His second yellow card was for a trip on Totti from behind in a needless area. His sending off made it more difficult for the Czech’s to create anything and the result seemed to be in little doubt after his dismissal.
As the half began it was all Italy and it seemed only a matter of time before their lead would be extended. Totti fired from long range forcing a save from Cech before Pirlo also did the same from similar distance. Midway through the half the game had changed little it was still Italy who were making all the play. The Czechs defense did little to help the situation at one point as two defenders collided leaving Inzaghi clean through but Cech rushed out to narrow the angle and the Milan striker fired wide of the target under pressure.
It was almost the first touch for the sub who had previously received very little game time for the Italians.
Bad finishing nearly cost Italy as again Nedved stung the palms of his colleague with a rasping drive from the edge of the area. A draw would not be enough for the Czech’s but still they kept pressing, hoping that they could find a goal to spark a flurried last fifteen minutes.
It was not to be though as Italy continued to counter the forward play of the Czech’s and through Inzaghi should have made the game safe on 83 minutes. After a weaving dribble from Pirlo inside the area the ball bounced to the striker five years out but his header was mistimed and ended up wide of Petr Cech’s goal instead of in it. The striker however made up for his previous two misses by closing the game out in style three minutes before the end of the ninety.
Played through by Camoranesi he was able to make his way past Cech before placing the ball past the outstretched keepers hand to give the Italians a much deserved 2-0 win and send them top of the Group.
A goal from Inzaghi in the second half was enough to make the game safe as Materazzi who had replaced the injured Nesta in the first half had scored moments after being introduced.
The Czechs who suffered the heartache of defeat after not even qualifying for the World Cup in 2002 had Polak sent off during the first period of the game for a second bookable offense.
Italy took the initiative early in the game with both sides realizing a defeat would be enough to send them home but it was the Czechs who struck first in their bid to top the Group and eliminate Italy.
First Nedved and then Jankulovski tested Buffon in the Italian net but he was equal to the second effort after spilling the first from his Juve teammate.
Five minutes later though and the Italians went ahead through Materazzi' header. A corner whipped in by Totti was inviting enough for the Italian defender to get his head on and place it past Petr Cech in the Czech goal. It was a crushing blow for the side in white who had made arguably the better start to the game.
It was clear that the Czech’s were suffering because of the lack of a presence up front. With Koller injured in the first game it was difficult for Rosicky and Nedved to make runs forward as the ball was returned to the midfield area almost as soon as it was played up to the lone front man Milan Baros.
In extra time of the first half the story was about to get worse for the Czechs as their task was made more difficult by the ending off of Polak. His second yellow card was for a trip on Totti from behind in a needless area. His sending off made it more difficult for the Czech’s to create anything and the result seemed to be in little doubt after his dismissal.
As the half began it was all Italy and it seemed only a matter of time before their lead would be extended. Totti fired from long range forcing a save from Cech before Pirlo also did the same from similar distance. Midway through the half the game had changed little it was still Italy who were making all the play. The Czechs defense did little to help the situation at one point as two defenders collided leaving Inzaghi clean through but Cech rushed out to narrow the angle and the Milan striker fired wide of the target under pressure.
It was almost the first touch for the sub who had previously received very little game time for the Italians.
Bad finishing nearly cost Italy as again Nedved stung the palms of his colleague with a rasping drive from the edge of the area. A draw would not be enough for the Czech’s but still they kept pressing, hoping that they could find a goal to spark a flurried last fifteen minutes.
It was not to be though as Italy continued to counter the forward play of the Czech’s and through Inzaghi should have made the game safe on 83 minutes. After a weaving dribble from Pirlo inside the area the ball bounced to the striker five years out but his header was mistimed and ended up wide of Petr Cech’s goal instead of in it. The striker however made up for his previous two misses by closing the game out in style three minutes before the end of the ninety.
Played through by Camoranesi he was able to make his way past Cech before placing the ball past the outstretched keepers hand to give the Italians a much deserved 2-0 win and send them top of the Group.