catalyst2 | World Cup Game #41

If I was surprised that Italy drew with NZ in the previous game, I was utterly stunned by this result - Italy lost 3-2 to Slovakia and were knocked out in the group stages for the first time since 1974. To be honest, bar the last 10 or so minutes, Italy were never really in this game but when they did wake up, they managed to score two goals, the second of which, from Quagliarella was just stunning but it was all too late by then. Now just imagine what they could have done if they had been wake for the last half hour, let alone the whole game. It's always a sad sight to see a former champion team trudging off, looking so utterly crushed but failing to win against NZ really did cost them dearly!

And, just in case this sounds like it is all about Italy, credit has to be given to Slovakia absolutely taking the game to them, attacking at every chance and having a steady defence for so much of the game.

Just stunned, I am!