France v Italy

France v Italy

17/06/2008

Both of these World Cup finalists went in to this final group match needing a win after disappointing campaigns. Both France and Italy had lost to the Netherlands by three goals, and drawn with Romania.

In the first half, France got off to an awful start, arguably their best player of the tournament, Ribery, conceded a nasty injury and had to be substituted for Nasri. Not the best of starts, considering this is a must win game.

To rub salt in to the French's wounds, Italy were playing brilliant football and the French defence was struggling to cope with Italian striker Luca Toni. He had several opportunities where he caught out the French defenders, and on the twenty fifth minute he got away from the defenders, but Eric Abidal caught him up and tripped him over in the box. France had conceded a penalty, and Eric Abidal was sent off. Pirlo took the spot kick: a brilliant shot sent smashing in to the top corner giving the goal keeper no chance.

After the penalty Italy looked liked scoring again, maybe even multiple times. Ten man France were crumbling under the pressure and were extremely relieved when the half time whistle was blown.

In the second half the story was the same as in the first. France simply couldn't deal with the constant threat of the Italian attack, conceding multiple free kicks. And this was their down fall, when on the sixty second minute, a De Rossi free kick from thirty yards deflected off the outstretched boot of Thierry Henry, sending the goal keeper the wrong way.

Italy maybe should have even got more goals after that, but French goal keeper Gregory Coupet kept the score line as low as possible.

Overall, a good game from Italy's point of view, playing strong attacking football, but the French will be disappointed with their poor performances in this tournament and will go home empty handed.

Final Score:

France 0 – 2 Italy