Two goals in ten minutes from Luca Toni in the second half was enough to help blast Italy past a lackluster Ukraine team who failed to get out of the starting blocks on their first appearance in a World Cup Quarter Final.
After Germany had put themselves as the first name in the semi-final the match up in Hamburg between two European sides looked set to be a tight encounter with Italy winning through with a dubious last minute penalty in the second round. Even tighter was the Ukraine’s route through to the second knock out phase as they came through a penalty shoot out with Switzerland.
With neither team famous for their attacking prowess the first goal was always going to be crucial to the outcome of the match. Both side operated one up front and the midfield area was extremely crowded during early possessions meaning neither side could impose their style of play on the game.
Italy began the more sprightly with an early shot from Camoranesi testing the goalkeeper, the warning was not heeded from the World Cup newbie’s who found themselves a goal behind minutes after the initial shot. Zambrotta played a one two with Totti in the middle of the pitch before dashing past two players and unleashing a left footed shot towards goal, bad positioning from the Ukraine stopper Shovkovskiy did nothing to help the situation as the shot skidded of his palms and into the back of the net.
Strangely both sides took their foot off the gas after the goal. Despite a formation change from the Ukrainians they could do nothing right going forward. The Italian defense protected by the tenacious Gattuso did excellently in shutting down attacks and by keeping the ball frustrated their opponents increasingly. This tactic caused much breakage in the game as the first half became littered with fouls and unnecessary free kicks.
The second half began much brighter with Ukraine at last awakening from their slumber. Good work from superstar Shevchenko led to a chance for Gusev.
The midfielder's shot was powerfully struck but was palmed away by Buffon who was lucky that the shot was straight at him. In the melee following the shot, only a goal line of the highest quality saved Italy from being pegged back as Kalinichenko was prevented from scoring by heroics from goal bagger Zambrotta.
Seconds later the Ukrainians switched off from a short corner and an unmarked Toni got his first goal of the tournament, effectively putting the game beyond any doubt for Italy.
The Fiorentina striker’s header was well out of the reach this time unlucky keeper who cursed his defense for their slack play.
Still the Eastern European’s battled on but thanks to their cross bar their two goal advantage was kept. The luckless Kalinichenko again the victim of misfortune in the Italian areas.
The game became open for the first time as Ukraine began to realize they had nothing to lose, but Italy capitalized before they could make any more chances to change the score line. Excellent work one more from the tireless Zambrotta down the left gave Luca Toni a close range tap in to net his second goal of the game.
The closing moments became a formality for Italy with each pass receiving an Ole from the crowd. They survived a late penalty claim when Shevchenko appeared to be bundled down in the box but it the Chelsea man’s claims were waved away by the official, leaving Italy to head to Dortmund next week for a tussle with the hosts Germany in the first semi final.
After Germany had put themselves as the first name in the semi-final the match up in Hamburg between two European sides looked set to be a tight encounter with Italy winning through with a dubious last minute penalty in the second round. Even tighter was the Ukraine’s route through to the second knock out phase as they came through a penalty shoot out with Switzerland.
With neither team famous for their attacking prowess the first goal was always going to be crucial to the outcome of the match. Both side operated one up front and the midfield area was extremely crowded during early possessions meaning neither side could impose their style of play on the game.
Italy began the more sprightly with an early shot from Camoranesi testing the goalkeeper, the warning was not heeded from the World Cup newbie’s who found themselves a goal behind minutes after the initial shot. Zambrotta played a one two with Totti in the middle of the pitch before dashing past two players and unleashing a left footed shot towards goal, bad positioning from the Ukraine stopper Shovkovskiy did nothing to help the situation as the shot skidded of his palms and into the back of the net.
Strangely both sides took their foot off the gas after the goal. Despite a formation change from the Ukrainians they could do nothing right going forward. The Italian defense protected by the tenacious Gattuso did excellently in shutting down attacks and by keeping the ball frustrated their opponents increasingly. This tactic caused much breakage in the game as the first half became littered with fouls and unnecessary free kicks.
The second half began much brighter with Ukraine at last awakening from their slumber. Good work from superstar Shevchenko led to a chance for Gusev.
The midfielder's shot was powerfully struck but was palmed away by Buffon who was lucky that the shot was straight at him. In the melee following the shot, only a goal line of the highest quality saved Italy from being pegged back as Kalinichenko was prevented from scoring by heroics from goal bagger Zambrotta.
Seconds later the Ukrainians switched off from a short corner and an unmarked Toni got his first goal of the tournament, effectively putting the game beyond any doubt for Italy.
The Fiorentina striker’s header was well out of the reach this time unlucky keeper who cursed his defense for their slack play.
Still the Eastern European’s battled on but thanks to their cross bar their two goal advantage was kept. The luckless Kalinichenko again the victim of misfortune in the Italian areas.
The game became open for the first time as Ukraine began to realize they had nothing to lose, but Italy capitalized before they could make any more chances to change the score line. Excellent work one more from the tireless Zambrotta down the left gave Luca Toni a close range tap in to net his second goal of the game.
The closing moments became a formality for Italy with each pass receiving an Ole from the crowd. They survived a late penalty claim when Shevchenko appeared to be bundled down in the box but it the Chelsea man’s claims were waved away by the official, leaving Italy to head to Dortmund next week for a tussle with the hosts Germany in the first semi final.