Controversial finish for Australia at World Cup

Australia has bowed out of the 2006 World Cup in the most heartbreaking and controversial of circumstances, defeated 1-0 in the dying minutes of the match after Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo awarded a spot kick to Italy.

Australia dominated territory and possession throughout the group 16 knockout match, but failed to convert this pressure into shots on goal despite the Italians being reduced to ten men in the second half when Marco Materazzi was shown a red card in the 50th for a late, two footed challenge on Marco Bresciano.

But it was a run in the third minute of the second half injury time by Fabio Grosso that proved the difference, weaving around Bresciano into the penalty box before, in the eyes of the referee, he was brought down by a Lucas Neill tackle. Replays suggested Neill lay motionless in front of Grosso after mistiming the attempted tackle and stopping short of the attacker, with the Italian simply tripping over the Blackburn Rovers defender.

Cantalejo ordered the penalty kick and Francesco Totti, left out of the starting line-up after indifferent form in the group stages, powered the ball past the outstretched arms of Mark Schwarzer, crushing Australia’s World Cup dream with the last kick of the match.

Prior to the gut-wrenching decision Australia certainly held their own, with the Italians unable to cope with the Socceroos’ highly effective marking and crisp tackling, which left many of the Azzurri players frustrated and coach Marcello Lippi visibly concerned.

Lippi responded to the send-off of Materazzi by employing defensive tactics that allowed Australia to continue to penetrate the Italian goalbox.

But Australia, playing in their first World Cup in 32 years, lacked the killer instinct to take the match by the scruff of the neck despite several promising attacking raids in what ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

The first half saw numerous Italian opportunities thwarted by outstanding and desperate Australian defence on their goal line.

Scott Chipperfield demonstrated why he no longer drives buses in Wollongong with numerous outstanding tackles in front of goal while Mark Schwarzer pulled off several fine saves which kept the Socceroos in the contest.

But ultimately this match will be remembered for its controversial, and as an Australian, unfair finish. Outgoing coach and tactical genius Guus Hiddink echoed the sentiments of the nation when speaking to media after the match.

“If you see the replay there was no doubt it was not a penalty…that’s bitter to see that in the last second,” he said. “But overall when the emotion goes down, we can be very proud of what this team has achieved in the last four games.”

ITALY: Gianlugi Buffon; Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro (captain), Fabio Grosso; Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso; Alessandro Del Piero (Francesco Totti, 75), Alberto Gilardino (Vincenzo Iaquinta, 46), Luca Toni (Andrea Barzagli, 56).

AUSTRALIA: Mark Schwarzer; Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield; Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire, Tim Cahill, Marco Bresciano, Mile Sterjovski (John Aloisi, 81); Mark Viduka (captain).

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