Italy are through

but deary me, the ref had an alright game bar the two biggest decisions which he fucked up. Materazzi was definitely not a red, yellow at worst to be honest. And the penalty was just something else, even as an Italian supporter. Neill dived past the ball, Grosso delibrately tripped over the hapless Neill to win a penalty. Very unlucky for the Aussies, but Hiddink might have to take the blame for not going for it.

When Materazzi was sent off, Italy took off Toni, and left only the crap Iaquinta up front on his own, and the totally ineffective Del Piero behind him. Hiddink had the chance to get Aloisi and Kennedy on, but he gambled on extra time, only bringing on Aloisi with 10 minutes to go. Meanwhile Lippi correctly subbed the ineffective Del Piero for Totti, to take the game to the aussies, and sure enough they were hit by the classic Italian sucker punch, however undeserved that was. Totti despatched the penalty with brilliant poise after having to wait an awful long time for his spot kick.

Australia must be gutted, but I expected more from them after Italy went down to ten.