Italy's Minor Miracle Against Germany

Well, who would have predicted that? Italy progress to the World Cup final; the actual final, not just the "finals" (what idiot came up with the term "finals" for the World Cup? The World Cup finals final. Dumb.) After an abysmal performance against Australia in the round of 16 and looking fairly unconvincing in the group stage (despite topping Group E), Italy look to be picking up the pace a bit and managed to bag a brace in the last 2 minutes of extra time against Germany in Dortmund. This mild surprise comes after Germany’s complete control over Group A and strong performances in their knockout games so far, including a brave display against such difficult opposition as Argentina.

I'm in two minds about the game actually. On one hand, I'm disappointed Italy made it through after the treacherous way they got past Australia, but on the other hand they did play pretty well and the goals were top class. I still have no respect for Grosso after his theatrical dive over Lucas Neill, even though he scored the 1st goal with a beautifully struck left foot shot from outside the right corner of the 6-yard box that curled around Lehmann and just snuck inside the far post. However, I've always liked Del Piero, and his experience and deft touch prevailed in the last few seconds as he ran onto a well-weighted pass from Gilardino into the left side of the penalty area and flicked the ball around Lehmann with his right foot into the top right corner of Germany's goal. Although, having come on well into extra time, he was one of the few fresh players on the pitch. Both goals went just inside the respective far posts; perfect placement.

Two beautiful goals after 118 minutes of goalless football when everyone thought the game was just about to go to penalties - unbelievable.

Italy was the better team in the first half, dominating with 58% possession. However, Jurgen Klinsmann was getting very animated on the sideline about the apparent inequality of the referee's decisions, and I have to say Klinsmann had a point. The referee would often ignore challenges that resulted in a German player on his backside but seemingly identical challenges against Italian players usually resulted in free kicks going Italy's way. The later stages of the first half aside, I thought the refereeing was of a much higher standard than most refereeing we had seen so far in this World Cup. Germany managed to turn things around in the second half and played some nice attacking football, although Ballack’s lack of involvement was dissatisfying; in fact, he has had a very lacklustre tournament in general.

Something I find very disappointing about Italy is their theatrics. True to their reputation, they acted like they’d broken their leg almost every time they were tackled and every bone in their face every time there was contact going up for a header. What’s the deal with all the rolling on the ground? Is that supposed to make a player feel better if he is in pain? Surely just lying still is a more definite sign of real injury. Having said that, there were a couple occasions where I was glad it was not me making contact, such as Materazzi’s clearing header from a powerful Kehl shot early in extra time that looked like it almost knocked him out. Ouch! In general, Germany just got up and got on with it while Italy milked it for all it was worth.

At the end of 90 minutes the score was still locked at 0-0. Germany definitely had the momentum going into extra time, but to everyone’s surprise Italy came out firing, looking to make a quick impact, and found both the right post and crossbar in the first few minutes of extra time. It was very nervous times for a suddenly shaky looking German defence. I’m sure Lehmann was glad when his team-mates woke up and started moving the ball forward again, although they certainly looked like they were running out of steam while Italy looked rejuvenated by the short break after 90 minutes (must have been something in their water).

Penalties started looking more and more likely, with neither team looking like they wanted to score. However, the tide suddenly turned when Pirlo played the ball to Grosso just outside the 6-yard box, who calmly curled his shot around Lehmann. There was stunned silence in the predominantly German crowd, understandably enough. With less than 2 minutes to go the hosts had come unstuck and the nation issued a collective groan; so close and yet so far. Klinsmann was desperately urging his players on in the last minute and Odonkor pressed forward aggressively, but Germany, rattled from conceding a goal seconds before and going all out in attack, were caught with nothing left in defence. Gilardino put Del Piero through for a one-on-one with Lehmann and the Juventus record-holder did the rest.

So Italy are the first World Cup finalists of 2006. Will they meet France or Portugal in the finals? It ought to be an excellent game, but, given Zidane’s brilliant form against Brazil, the ever-incredible Arsenal man’s presence (yes, I’m talking about Henry) and the collective experience in the squad members, I’d have to tip France to go through. Ideally France will give Italy a football lesson in the final (as retribution for numerous Oscar performances) but reality is often as unpredictable as it is peculiar. The playoff for 3rd place, presumably between Germany and Portugal, should also be a fantastic game and I’m expecting it to contain some of the best football of the entire tournament. Only time will tell...