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Slovakia's Kamil Kopunek (C) scores past Italy's goalkeeper Federico Marchetti during their 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 24, 2010. [Agencies] |
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Slovakia's goalkeeper Jan Mucha holds the ball inside his goal as he struggles with Italy's Vincenzo Iaquinta during their 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 24, 2010. [Agencies] |
Letting in early goals in South Africa was nothing new for Italy, which was held to 1-1 draws by Paraguay and New Zealand in its first two group matches.
Italy hasn't won a match since beating Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in November, drawing five times and losing twice since then.
Italy won the 2006 World Cup final with a penalty shootout win over France, which only qualified this year after Thierry Henry used his hand to set up the deciding goal in a playoff win over Ireland.
Things didn't get any prettier after France arrived in South Africa. The 1998 World Cup winners drew 0-0 with Uruguay on the opening day. Then, in between losses to Mexico and host South Africa, striker Nicolas Anelka was thrown off the squad after refusing to apologize for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
The rest of the team declined to train the next day because of the treatment given their teammate.
On Thursday in Paris, the French players arrived home to a cold welcome as police guarded the tarmac to let the players disembark away from journalists and fans.
Paraguay moved into the round of 16 for the fourth time in its history as neither team threatened to score in Polokwane.
The Paraguayans also reached the second round at the World Cup in 1986, 1998 and 2002.
"Obviously, the first goal was to advance," Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz said. "We had some good moments in the first three games and obviously there are some things that we need to improve."
New Zealand exits the tournament without losing a match, just as Switzerland did four years ago. But in Germany, the Swiss reached the round of 16 and then lost to Ukraine on penalties.
"We are proud and disappointed at the same time now," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said. "We remained unbeaten but are still eliminated. I am proud, and no one takes away from me what we have done here."
