Saturday, July 12, 2025
HomeSoccer2010 World CupSlovaks shock Italians with 3-2 win

Slovaks shock Italians with 3-2 win

Published on

 World Cup Heroes in 2006, World cup zeros in 2010.

Four years ago, it was the Italians dancing on the field as they won the World Cup but this time around, they watched as Slovakia jumped and jived their way to shocking 3-2 win, eliminating Italy from the tournament.

Slovakian stud Robert Vittek led by example collecting two goals at the 25’ and 73’ minute marks to help his country make it’s first appearance in the round of 16.

In a tournament that has lacked goal scoring, fans were treated to four goals in the last 20 minutes of the game.

After Vittek scored his second, Italy’s Antonio Di Natale responded with getting an easy tap-in to make the game 2-1 in the 81’.

Eight minutes later Kamil Kopunek, who had just subbed on, used a great burst of speed to beat two Italian defenders and then flipped it over Federico Marchetti to put his team up 3-1.

But Italy would not go quietly as three minutes later; Fabio Quagliarella chipped a ball just under the post to make it 3-2.

The Slovaks did everything they could to get time to expire and that included laying on the field a half dozen times in the waning moments of the game.

With seconds left in the game, Simon Pepe had a great chance to put a ball in but he misfired it and shot wide.

Italy hasn’t been eliminated in the first round since 1974 and will have to watch the rest of the tournament in the comfort of there own homes.

Meanwhile for Slovakia, because New Zealand and Paraguay tied, they will move on to the next round in their very first World Cup appearance.

If Vittek can continue to produce and their defence maintains its steady effort, the Slovaks can continue to shock as they advance through the tournament.

Learn about Centennial College's School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design

Latest articles

Ti-Cats rout Argos as QB Mitchell shines on historic night

Hamilton Tiger-Cats roared to a 51-38 win over the host Toronto Argonauts on Friday...

Ti-Cats hand Argos fourth loss in five games

Bo Levi Mitchell threw for five touchdowns and passed a big career milestone as...

What does it mean to be trans and Canadian?

Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to be transgender, but trans people say they still remain vigilant.

Young Canadians have a different view now of driving, instructor says

For generations, getting a driver’s license was seen as a rite of passage, a symbol of independence and adulthood.

More like this

Spain become first time World Cup winners

Spain became the 2010 World Cup champions after defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final game at Soccer City on Sunday.

Toronto celebrates Spain’s World Cup win

A crowd of a few hundred watching the game at Plaza Flamingo restaurant at College and Bathurst Street poured out onto the roadway after Spain's goal in extra time against the Netherlands.

Flu ridden Germans top Uruguay for third place

It was not the weekend game that either team was hoping to play in...