Slovakia qualified for their first FIFA World Cup finals after beating Poland 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Polish player. Although, topping the European zone Group 3, no one takes Slovakia as serious opponent. However, all had changed on Thursday (June 24).
In an incredible and dramatic match, Slovakia beat the defending champion, Italy, knocked the defending champion out of World Cup. In a greatest shock of group action in South Africa FIFA World Cup, Slovakia secured its place in 2nd round but put Italy not only out of the competition but finished last in the group, this is Italy’s worst result since FIFA World Cup 1974.
Slovakia started the game powerfully and showed their domination to led 2 – 0 with Robert Vittek’s goals in 25th and 73rd minutes. Only in the 81st minute did Antonio DiNatale manage to put the ball in the net for the Italians. From there they began to emerge and dominate the play, a furious rally in search of a second goal to preserve their tournament lives.
But, few minutes later, it was Slovakia who scored making Italy hopes of advancing seemingly extinguished once and for all when Slovakia substitute Kamil Kapunek beautifully exploited defensive hesitation, running onto a throw-in before lifting the ball brilliantly beyond advancing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
It’s already 89 minutes of normal stopwatch time, but then 4 minutes were added by the referee. So there was time for Quagliarella to score a superb strike to put the score 3 – 2 and heating up the game in its 2 minutes time left, so intense that Slovakia keeper Jan Muscha had to tussle with Quagliarella as they both tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net.
The incident lengthen the game out of official added time and did increase the tension when Italy put everything out for an equalizer. However, it’s not enough for them to get that so much needed third goal. It’s a tragic end for Italy in 2010 World Cup and resounding success for Slovakia on its first participation in World Cup.
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