It's Czechs mates for Italy's tournament tumble

Italy go home with very few peoples sympathy. It's not like the French, who imploded and were a disgrace to eveyone concerned. A country that couldn't have been more true to their stereotypes without wearing berets and strings of onions. The Italians can have little complaint. Whilst there were moments of irony, where the inventors of feigning injury and over-egging challenges in the name of time-wasting were disparaging of opposition engaging in the same dark art. Oh Italy, how the mighty have fallen, 4 yers ago World Champions, now bottom of the group behind New Zealand, who - having never won a single point at a World Cup finals before - did All White...

There is the goal that never was, or was it? where Skrtel cleared off the line, but did it cross the line? From every angle available it's impossible to tell, so well played linesman, who had a terrific game, the later offside call was also spot-on though so tight there could have been no complaints had the goal stood. It's hard to feel sympathy for the Italians because in three games they only stepped up the play looking for a win in the final 15 minutes of the final game. In 270 minutes of football they only looked to press for 15 minutes and for that they deserve to go home. Lippi has a lot to answer for, how Iaquinta can justify 3 starts is beyond me, did he even register a real shot on target? Why, after the impact he made after coming on against Paraguay did Camoranesi not start the second game or even feature in this last game? Cannavaro is a legend, he is a great defender. Once or twice he got turned against Paraguay, but otherwise looked composed and I for one thought he was still good enough to be here. But the way he's been twisted and turned, and worse the way he's failed to deal with balls dinked over the top shows a man out of his depth. He just can't play to the standard required and Lord knows what would have happened if he came up against Argentina, Chile or Brazil. Italy were lacklustre in midfield and played so deep you'd think they were playing for a draw. they were too long in possession at the back and played themselves into difficulty, it was as if playing long would bring shame on all their houses.

All three Slovakia goals were well taken especially the third with it being the scorers first touch since coming on the pitch, a lovely little lift over the keeper after a beautiful run into the box from 35 yards. But the defence was decidedly un-Italian for all of them. the first was a sloppy pass in their final third of the pitch which left the defence wide open and the keeper had no chance at his bottom left hand corner. The second was a a finish from a tight angle, but born from a corner, the Italians conceding from a set piece is a relatively new phenomenon. The third, a runner who isn't picked up, runs onto a flick and lifts the ball over the keeper without being challenged, it's a stunning finish, not only because it's his first touch of the ball but we've seen people scared or unable to lift the ball over onrushing keepers so far. Slovakia were a different side this game, they came out attacking and played that way for the 96 minutes. They knew they had to win to progress and came out to give it a go. Italy, also with their fate in their own hands never looked like they wanted to score until it was too late. Their second was the goal of the tournament. To have the guts to chip the keeper from 22 yards in the 90th minute. Quigliarella finds the only place possible and chips the ball over the keeper, it is the deftest of chips and whether it is out of desperation or vision it is exquisite. In the end it's not enough, Pepe makes poor contact on a cross and sends it wide when he really should have done better in the 94th minute but Italy go out, and deservedly so.

Italy will talk about the goal that never was and blame that for their exit, but if they really want a reason they need to look closer to home. Appointing a 37 year old captain, the competition as a while let alone as captain looked a burden too far for Cannavaro. Clive Tylsedale screamed that his career was terminated tonight - as if he was going to be shot for public spectacle after the game - but this is a man who was world class in Germany '06 and led his team admirably to be world champions, but this was a step too far. some of that responsibility has to lie with Lippi, can a man turn down the captaincy? It was too little too late for Italy, they had three games, they had to play New Zealand, most teams at the games would've given sacrifices to have been drawn against them but Italy went behind to them but never really threatened to win it. They never attacked the Slovaks until it was too late. Complacency cost them, and maybe a sense of entitlement. Whist New Zealand can leave with heads held high, having not lost a game at this tournament, Italy go home in a state of disarray. They were nothing short of poor. There was no urgency - until it was to late - and no creativity, how they must have longed for the days they could leave Del Piero on the bench. Pirlo was injured, but is there no one else? Where have the Italian masters gone? If this is the future of Italian football then it's a long road back. Maybe one of the telltale signs was Inter Milan winning the Champions League without an Italian in the lineup.

Oh, and Paraguay deservedly topped the group. Is this South America's World Cup? It looks so.