World Cup - Group F decided

Italy dumped out of World Cup by Slovakia, Paraguay advance

The most dramatic game of the World Cup so far saw defending champions Italy getting knocked out of the tournament by Slovakia. The Italians were poor, but stepped up a gear dramatically in the second half setting up the most thrilling conclusion to a game you are likely to see. We had disallowed goals, goal-line clearances, multiple goals but in the end, the tickets to Rome were being booked.

Slovakia went 2-0 with up with goals from Robert Vittek either side of half time. When Di Natali pulled one back for Italy on 81 minutes, it looked like they would get the equaliser they needed. But Skertel cleared off the line, and Italy had a goal disallowed for offside. Then, unbelievably, the Italians conceded again in the last minute, with substitute Kopunek sneaking past the defence to collect a line-throw and chip it over the advancing goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt.

Or at least that's what you would think. Incredibly, there was another twist left. Quaglarella scored a beauty for the Italians two minutes into injury time, and there was still a late opportunity for Italy to score again, but Pepe volleyed wide.

Meanwhile, New Zealand and Paraguay were playing out a scoreless draw, which was good enough to see Paraguay progress. But it was heartbreak for the "All Whites" who couldn't find the breakthrough they needed, and end up with three draws from three games - but despite being unbeaten, they are going home.

World Cup Day Ten

Kaka sent off as Brazil qualify from Group

Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1, but had their star player sent off in a tempestuous final ten minutes. Fabiano scored twice for Brazil, once in each half and Elano added a third as Brazil seemed to be coasting to an easy win. But Ivory Coast turned up the aggression in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from Didier Drogba ten minutes from time. And Brazil did not like some of the tackles coming in from the Ivory Coast players. Some were truly nasty. Others were relatively harmless but Brazilian players began rolling around on the ground as if their leg had just been chopped off every time. Meanwhile, their coach Dunga was jumping up on down on the sideline every time a Brazil player was tackled - fanning the flames as the game turned sour. It was ridiculous - and not something one of the best teams in the tournament need to get involved in. And it came back to bite them. Every foul was followed by pushing and shoving, and eventually Kaka got two yellow cards in quick succession. Kaka is hardly a dirty player - the first yellow was for a bit of pushing and shoving and probably deserved. But the second incident saw Kader Keita of Ivory Coast just running into him and feigning injury. The referee, who had lost control of the game at this stage, reached for a second yellow, and one of the tournament's biggest names took the walk of shame. He didn't deserve it, but his coach and teammates played their part in cooking up the needless nastiness.

All White on the Night

New Zealand stunned the football world by grabbing a 1-1 draw with world champions Italy. They took the lead after seven minutes when Shane Smeltz snook in behind the Italian defence to poke home a free kick. The Italians were level within twenty minutes - when they were given a fairly generous penalty kick, slotted home by Iaquinta. New Zealand held on as the Italians piled on the pressure in the second half, and can than goalkeeper Mark Paston for a number of outstanding saves. The All Whites almost got a winner themselves when Wood shot just wide in the closing stages. We can add Italy to the list of big nations struggling at this World Cup. Meanwhile, the tournaments rank outsiders New Zealand are level with the Italians on points and with every chance of getting out of their group!

Paraguay sink Slovakia

Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 to send them top of their group - thanks to well taken goals from Enrique Vera and Cristian Rivero on 27 and 86 minutes. Slovakia on the other hand were void of inspiration, and look to be on their way out of this world cup. They face Italy on Thursday, while Paraguay play Australia. And with the Azzurri needing a win to progress, Slovakia look doomed.