Jul 05, 2006 01:09 PM
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Two Goals ! Last three minutes , 11 goals in the tournament with 10 different players.... Italy won 2-0 (a.e.t) , Germany out , Italy in the finals ... FORZA ITALIA ! FORZA ITALIA!
"I have to say catenaccio Italians" played a classic soccer game with the strong team.
Germany VERY KLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR!!!!
Italians kept their defence tight again in this game . After a rather silent first half, the game got alive in the second but still goals evaded both sides. The Italian coach Marcello Lippi left his substitutions for the extra-time. Alberto Gilardino and Alessandro Del Piero with fresh legs took the field in the extra-time and were rocking. The extra-time started with some great attacking football by the Azzurris, with two golden chances being created.
After an exciting but scoreless game, Italy managed to kick a goal near the end of the second overtime . Playmaker Andrea Pirlo read the situation pretty well and directed the ball to the left back Fabio Grosso and he scores ... What a shot ? a beautiful, horizontally arcing kick that slipped past the goalie and sailed inside the goal post. That moment was beautiful. Then Del Piero shot one over the head of the German keeper Jens Lehmann into the net to seal the game.
Final whistle - the young Grosso and the old Del Piero lead the Italian force into the finals!
What an unbelievable finish, two points in the last minutes of extra time. This was the best match of the World Cup Tournament so far...
Jurgen Klinsmann’s World Cup dream ends... Marcello Lippi’s team celebrated on the pitch as the whole of Germany sank to their knees. Did you saw a German girl crying ? Yes that shows the pain the fans had afet so much expections on their home team.
Excellent game and Italy showed the world that they rule in soccer.
Defense: Excellent with 3 ocasions given to the germans.
Goalkeeper: Outstanding Buffon!! 2 miraculous saves defeated and demoralized Germany.
Forwards: Very intelligent and fast against a tired Germany, Pirlo, Del Piero and Canevaro the best !
Italy played a good match, they were pressuring the german team alot. Italy had some great chances, they had some bad shots but were also very unlucky. their defence was strong as usual and Cannavaro was definetely a key player for italy, as well as Buffon and Del Piero.
Germany also played very well. their defence was strong and their attack was giving the italy defence a little bit of pressure. they didnt have many shots on net and they werent that great.
The Germans didn't capitalize very well with plenty of chances, and this is the sort of thing that can happen when you play for Penalty Kicks. By the time the game went into extra time, they were tired and giving up more easily. Ballack was very dissapointing.
Regarding the game…there was one moment that almost spoilt it from being a classic game . The moment when the referee gave a free-kick to germany for a push by cannavaro INSIDE THE PENALTY BOX. It might have been a different story if PENALTY has been given...
Also Totti predictably took a dive at the top of the box in a clear effort to cheat his way into a free kick or a Penalty Kick . It’s what Italy does somewhere in the middle of the game , and while it disgusts me, at least in this match it had no bearing on the final outcome. The referee didn’t call any of them fouls. Most Importantly its GOALS in the match , no PENALTY SHOOTER to decide the game.
BOTH of the goals were not from diving, cheeting or anything.. except pure skill. Stop to write “divers”: this is SOCCER men and they are the winners tonight!!!!
All the best to Italy for the finals! One last game, and you can make history! Go Azzurris, go....
