Slovakia 3 - 2 Italy
Paraguay 0 - 0 New Zealand
Denmark 1 - 3 Japan
Cameroon 1 - 2 Netherlands
It seems implausible, impossible, completely unimaginable, but the Azzuri have left the pitch for the last time in this South African World Cup, after being eliminated by Slovakia. The final score denotes a struggle, but the only fight to be seen really was a bizarre kerfuffle inside the Slovakian goalbox.
To call Italy's performance toothless isn't enough, it was headless. And it was painful to watch them struggle without a Francesco Totti or Alessandro Del Piero in the mix to see things through. Someone needed to be there to spearhead plays but there were no playmakers present on Lippi's roster. Although, I don't think anything negative can be said of Di Natale's awesome performance. He and Fabio Quagliarella made a lethal pair, perhaps Lippi should have made more use of them together from the start.
As for Slovakia, they have made an impressive statement at this World Cup, which is its first as an independent nation since separation from Czechoslovakia in 1993. They fought tooth and nail against the defending champions without any sign of deference or apology to slow them down. Their most exciting goal was the third, the deathblow, delivered by 26 year-old Kamil Kopunek, who had just been put into play seconds earlier as a last-minute substitute in the 88th minute. I had an apprehensive feeling when Kopunek stepped onto the pitch, he looked so fit and ready for action, it was as if he arrived at the wrong game. This game was definitely geared more toward the old at rest than the young and restless.I don't know what I'll do without the swagger, grit, beauty, style and yes, even the theatrics of Italy to look forward to in the tournament, but that said, this is a tournament. If only someone could explain why Lippi's team didn't treat it that way until the final 20 minutes of a live or die game.
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