Italy qualified for their fourth consecutive quarter finals with a 1-0 win over Australia. The World Cup debutants were beaten in their first ever knock out game at the finals after Francesco Totti netted a 90 minute penalty to beat the Australians after it was the Socceroos who dominated large quantities of the game.
After improving as the Group went on Italy started with the same team which beat the Czechs in their final group match up. Still missing Nesta through injury and De Rossi through suspension they fielded Perrotta, Pirlo and Gattuso in midfield to match up against the tough tackling Aussie line up.
Despite winning just one of their group games and twice being behind against Croatia, Australia were full of confidence heading into the days game. Kewell started on the bench after suffering an injury set back but Viduka was fit and ready to lead the line.
With the Winners realizing they were faced up against the Ukraine or Switzerland in their next game there was a huge incentive to win and potentially face the weakest of the eight sides left.
Kaiserslautern witnessed a slow paced game to begin with as Australia and Italy both tried to find some rhythm after stuttering group campaigns.
It was Italy however who threatened first through Luca Toni after an excellent cross from Grosso. The striker who was still looking for his first goal in the tournament headed his team mates’ perfect ball just wide after rising above his defender in the area.
Italy seemed to become the livelier of the two teams after this but they found it a struggle to break Australia down. It wasn't until 20 minutes in that the next chance was created as a header back from Toni was headed back into the path of Gilardino. The Milan striker waited for the ball to come down before acrobatically attempting a volley towards goal, his shot however was too close to the Aussie keeper who tipped it over the cross bar.
Two minutes later, Italy pressed again as Toni was once more denied by an excellent save from Schwarzer. The tall Fiorentina striker had the ball played to his feet before swiveling and hitting a shot on the turn. Sadly for the front man Schwarzer managed to stick his feet out and prevent the ball from finding the net.
On 30 minutes the Australians had their best chance of the half as a free kick played in by Bresciano fell to Chipperfield in the box. After several bounces and deflections the ball fell to the Basle man whose half volley was pounced upon by the keeper to let Italy off.
The second half began badly for Italy who despite all their possession were yet top score and their task was made more difficult when Materazzi was sent off for a bad tackle on Bresciano. The card was slightly harsh, but the defender was high and it was deemed that the Australian midfielder was denied a goal scoring opportunity because of the Inter Milan defender’s intervention.
Four minutes after Materazzi was sent off Australian began creating chance after chance first Lucas Neill tested the reflexes of Buffon with an excellent drive before a header from Tim Cahill went just over the bar.
Australia looked to be taking a grip on the game and the momentum was seemingly with them going into extra time, however a period of thirty minutes extra was not needed as Lucas Neill slid in unnecessarily on Grosso as the defender strode into the box.
With four minutes of extra time gone Totti stepped up to find the top corner with a coolly taken penalty sending Italy through to the quarter finals and Australia fuming about the award of the spot kick so late in the game.
After improving as the Group went on Italy started with the same team which beat the Czechs in their final group match up. Still missing Nesta through injury and De Rossi through suspension they fielded Perrotta, Pirlo and Gattuso in midfield to match up against the tough tackling Aussie line up.
Despite winning just one of their group games and twice being behind against Croatia, Australia were full of confidence heading into the days game. Kewell started on the bench after suffering an injury set back but Viduka was fit and ready to lead the line.
With the Winners realizing they were faced up against the Ukraine or Switzerland in their next game there was a huge incentive to win and potentially face the weakest of the eight sides left.
Kaiserslautern witnessed a slow paced game to begin with as Australia and Italy both tried to find some rhythm after stuttering group campaigns.
It was Italy however who threatened first through Luca Toni after an excellent cross from Grosso. The striker who was still looking for his first goal in the tournament headed his team mates’ perfect ball just wide after rising above his defender in the area.
Italy seemed to become the livelier of the two teams after this but they found it a struggle to break Australia down. It wasn't until 20 minutes in that the next chance was created as a header back from Toni was headed back into the path of Gilardino. The Milan striker waited for the ball to come down before acrobatically attempting a volley towards goal, his shot however was too close to the Aussie keeper who tipped it over the cross bar.
Two minutes later, Italy pressed again as Toni was once more denied by an excellent save from Schwarzer. The tall Fiorentina striker had the ball played to his feet before swiveling and hitting a shot on the turn. Sadly for the front man Schwarzer managed to stick his feet out and prevent the ball from finding the net.
On 30 minutes the Australians had their best chance of the half as a free kick played in by Bresciano fell to Chipperfield in the box. After several bounces and deflections the ball fell to the Basle man whose half volley was pounced upon by the keeper to let Italy off.
The second half began badly for Italy who despite all their possession were yet top score and their task was made more difficult when Materazzi was sent off for a bad tackle on Bresciano. The card was slightly harsh, but the defender was high and it was deemed that the Australian midfielder was denied a goal scoring opportunity because of the Inter Milan defender’s intervention.
Four minutes after Materazzi was sent off Australian began creating chance after chance first Lucas Neill tested the reflexes of Buffon with an excellent drive before a header from Tim Cahill went just over the bar.
Australia looked to be taking a grip on the game and the momentum was seemingly with them going into extra time, however a period of thirty minutes extra was not needed as Lucas Neill slid in unnecessarily on Grosso as the defender strode into the box.
With four minutes of extra time gone Totti stepped up to find the top corner with a coolly taken penalty sending Italy through to the quarter finals and Australia fuming about the award of the spot kick so late in the game.