Slovakia 3:2 Italy

Slovakia held off a late and desperate challenge from Italy to win 3-2 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The match was always in Slovakia’s favor with Robert Vittek scoring goals on either side of halftime and second half substitute Kamil Kopunek hitting the winner with his first touch.
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With the win, Slovakia advanced to the Round of 16 in their first World Cup as an independent nation and it did not come without a fight and some nervy moments up until to the final whistle. And for Italy it is the first time since 1974 that the side has not advanced from the group stage.

Head coach Vladimír Weiss’ side grabbed a 2-goal advantage on a brace from Vittek with goals in the 25th and 73rd minute. The team appeared to be on the way to an easy win as Italy was lethargic on offense and shockingly lazy on defense. In the match, Italian keeper Federico Marchetti faced three shots on goal and they all found their way into his net although it must be said more of the blame lies with poor defending.

With elimination staring them in the face and possibly with the first appearance of injured Andrea Pirlo the Azzurri found some inspiration and a goal when Serie A golden boot winner Antonio Di Natale drew a goal back in the 81st minute.

Italy, a notorious World Cup slow starter, knew with a draw they would advance them and it looked like they narrowly achieved that goal when Fabio Quagliarella re-directed a ball into the net only to be judged offside.

Second half substitute Kopunek put a damper on Italy’s late push with his goal in the 89th minute on his first touch since entering the match moments earlier.

The insurance goal was seen as just that until Quagliarella made good on a chip from outside the box in the 2nd minute of injury time catching Jan Mucha off his line to once again give Italy hope.

And Italy was given one final chance to narrowly advance when Simone Pepe was in position at the far post to level matters but his shot went wide of the target.

The Italians had one final chance but Pepe put his shot off target.