Match by Match Reports
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World Cup holders Italy were favourites to come out on top of this group and expected to be too strong for Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. Events proved otherwise.
2006 | World Cup Index | 2014
Italy
Paraguay
For the first 35 minutes of the game, neither side was prepared to commit seriously to the attack, preferring to sit back and wait for something - anything - to happen. Then Alcarez rose to meet a free-kick in the area and Paraguay were in the lead. In the second half Italy started to take the game seriously, playing with far more pace and style. Their goal came in the 63rd minute as Paraguayan goalkeeper, Justo Villar, with fist outstretched, sailed gracefully nowhere near an in swinging corner and Daniele De Rossi volleyed home.
New Zealand
Slovakia
Slovakia ought to have won this game comfortably but in the event, they played badly while the Kiwis worked their socks off. Slovakia took the lead through Vittek five minutes after the restart and as normal time ran out, were set to take the points that would put them on top of the group. Sensationally, with less than 30 seconds of added time remaining, New Zealand defender Winston Reid found himself on the end of a deep cross just eight yards out and with the Slovakian defence nowhere near. He headed home comfortably to give his side their first ever point in the World Cup Finals.
Slovakia
Paraguay
Playing with an attacking, 4-3-3 formation, Paraguay comfortably beat a lacklustre Slovakian side with goals from Vera (27 minutes) and Riveros, who made the game safe for the South American team after 86 minutes.
Italy
New Zealand
This ranks as the Kiwis' finest ever result and one of the greatest World Cup shocks. Smeltz gave the All-Whites a surprising lead after just seven minutes. Italy immediately went on the attack and were rewarded with a penalty when Tommy Smith tussled with Daniele De Rossi in the penalty area.
In the second half the game opened up with Italy pressing and New Zealand threatening to score on the break.
Slovakia
Italy
Slovakia were a team transformed from the one that had turned in poor performances in their previous two group matches. Goals in both halves from Vittek gave them a deserved lead going into the last quarter of an hour. Italy needed a point to go forward and, in an incredible final ten minute spell, they pulled one back and had a second disallowed for a very marginal offside. A slack back pass then led to a throw-in that gave Kamil Kopunek an opportunity to lift the ball brilliantly over the advancing Italian goalkeeper with one minute of normal time remaining. The drama continued in injury time as Quagliarella scored with a superb strike and Simone Pepe scuffed a far-post volley in the dying seconds. This result meant that Italy went out and finished last in their group.
Paraguay
New Zealand
One point from an uneventful game was sufficient to secure Paraguay top place in Group F. They were marginally the better side but New Zealand, unbeaten in the tournament, went home with their pride intact.
Match by Match Reports
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages