Azzurri spared from oblivion
Sunday, 23 June 02, 05:35 PM · Comments(0)
Substitute Alessandro del Piero
scored a dramatic late equaliser as Italy earned a 1-1 draw with Mexico, ensuring both teams qualify for the last 16 of the 2002 World
Cup.
Jared Borgetti had scored a brilliant first-half header for Mexico - adequate reward for a slick passing display by the Central American team. But Italy - who had previously had two goals ruled out for off-side - finally got their equaliser shortly before time.
Giovanni Trapattoni's team created more than enough chances to score, but at one stage faced joining France and Argentina on the early plane home. With Italy trailing at half-time and Croatia drawing with Ecuador in the other Group G match, Trapattoni's team faced an early exit. But Ecuador eventually beat Croatia meaning that ultimately Italy could have lost to Mexico and still gone through on the goals scored rule.
Italy knowing they had to win to absolutely guarantee qualification to the last 16 started the game with playmaker Francesco Totti playing just behind strike duo Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi.
Totti's sumptuous sliding ball was slotted home by Inzaghi but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for off-side. Italy continued to press and created chances. Vieri shot over and then forced a save from Oscar Perez with an awesome volley, while Totti clean through after neat work from Inzaghi missed the target.
But Mexico had played neat, precise football through the opening stages rarely squandering possession and were rewarded with a goal after 34
minutes.
Blanco's intelligent floated cross was met by Borgetti, whose exquisitely directed back header eluded Gianluigi Buffon.
Stunned, the Italians pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but mustered little before the break apart from a poor Gianluca Zambrotta shot, while Totti joined Christian Panucci in the referee's notebook for diving. Mexico, on the other hand, almost scored a second goal minutes before half-time but Borgetti's shot was superbly blocked by Fabio Cannavaro.
Borgetti scored a brilliant header for Mexico, Inzaghi should have equalised four minutes into the second half but his poor first touch allowed Perez to dive at his feet and clear the danger.
Jesus Arrelano's mazy run, cutting inside from the right, almost culminated in a goal but a heavy touch allowed Cannavaro to hook the ball clear.
Substitute Vincenzo Montella put the ball in the net again for Italy but as with Inzaghi's first-half effort the goal was ruled out for off-side. The usually prolific Vieri was put through but Perez was quickly off his line and knocked the ball around the post for corner.
Montella blazed over when well positioned after 83 minutes but eventually Italy got their goal. Del Piero who replaced Totti headed home Montella's cross to send the Italian supporters into a state of rapture and keep his team's World Cup dream alive.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
-
Victor Verhelst said:I have three names for you my friend:
Ronaldo, 2 times world champion and all...
Duki said:Where's ronaldo my friend. he needs to be n1 here or n2 at least although I wou...
Brasil said:I think ronaldo is the 2 or 3 of the list. He's champion twice, and all time le...
dan said:I Don't know if he is the best but Ronaldo deffidently deserves to be on the sa...
-
WorldCup2002
US
News, notices, Top 10 lists and results for the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan in Korea.
On Top 10 World Cup Players