Group F: Paraguay, Slovakia advance as Italy is eliminated

By FRANCO PANIZO

Italy entered a World Cup expecting to go in to a story books for apropos usually a third organization to ever successfully urge a title. While Italy did have story during this World Cup, it wasn't for that reason.

Italy was separated from Group F on Wednesday as it misplaced to Slovenia, 3-2, in a diversion that finished in stirring fashion. The detriment not usually saw Italy finish during a bottom of a group, it in addition gave a Azzurri, along with France, a graphic pretension of apropos a primary pair of teams to destroy to have it out of their groups after being World Cup finalists in a prior tournament.

Slovakia will be assimilated by organization personality Paraguay in a Round of a 16, as a South Americans accumulative advancement in to a second turn with a 0-0 lift with New Zealand. The All Whites might not have advanced, yet they'll approaching have their heads hold tall after not losing a review in a group.

Here are reduced recaps from Group F's games as great as a group's bext XI:

PARAGUAY ADVANCES WITH SCORELESS DRAW

It wasn't a most stirring diversion during this World Cup, yet for Paraguay it was a singular to remember.

In a rsther than lifeless affair, Paraguay won Group F with a 0-0 lift opposite New Zealand. The lift marked a third World Cup in a last four that a Paraguayans have reached a second turn (the organization did not countenance for a 2006 World Cup), as great as in addition one after another South America's prevalence in this tournament.

New Zealand showed some-more urgency in a detriment moments of a match, yet by then it was too late to salvage a World Cup hopes of reaching a second round. Regardless of being eliminated, New Zealand will take certainty in knowing it didn't remove a compar! e during this World Cup after b! eing lab eled a singular of a tournament's minnows.

SLOVAKIA ELIMINATES ITALY, 3-2

Facing a must-win situation, Slovakia accumulative a place in a Round of sixteen after a feisty, intense as great as breathtaking 3-2 victory over reigning World Cup hold up Italy.

Robert Vittek netted his primary of twin goals in a primary half after a costly turnover by Italy in a own half. Vittek would addition to a lead by scoring from tie range in a 73rd off a pass from Marek Hamsik.

Italy responded through an Antonio Di Natale cancel in a 81st, yet gave up a third thought to second-half surrogate Kamil Kopunek. Kopunek made a well-timed run on a throw-in to locate a Azzurri defense sleeping prior to beautifully chipping a ball over goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Italy would again lift a singular back, as Fabio Quagliarella smoothly lofted a shot over Jan Mucha in a 92nd minute. Simone Pepe then had a last-gasp possibility to equalize, yet he unsuccessful to get great hit on a ball.

GROUP D FINAL TABLE

1. Paraguay..........5 points, +2 thought differential

2. Slovakia..........4 points, -1 thought differential

3. New Zealand..........3 points, 0 thought differential

4. Italy..........2 points, -1 thought differential

SBI's GROUP F BEST XI:

-----------------Vittek--------Smeltz---------------

----Vera-------Riveros-----De Rossi-----Hamsik----

----Alcaraz------Skrtel-------Nelsen--------Reid----

-------------------------Paston------------------------

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Who do you consider will go further in a impressive chairman stages, Paraguay or Slovakia? Surprised by Italy's elimination? Impressed by New Zealand's opening during a World Cup?

Share your thoughts below.

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