Hanover, Germany – Italy responded to the corruption scandal back home with some of the most exciting soccer of this World Cup.
Andrea Pirlo converted a set play to perfection for the Azzurri’s first goal in the 40th minute, and Vincenzo Iaquinta finished off a 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 83rd. Italy produced 13 shots on goal to Ghana’s four and hit the crossbar and goalpost once each.
“It was the best soccer of the tournament so far,” said FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who attended Monday’s game.
Last week, Blatter issued an ultimatum to Italian authorities, telling them to decide on punishments for the scandal by the end of next month. Prosecutors in four Italian cities are investigating allegations of match-fixing, referee arrangements and illegal betting.
“It’s a nice compliment, especially coming from the top,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. “We had an enormous number of possibilities to score.”
Ghana missed a number of chances, but showed itself worthy of playing among soccer’s elite.
“I think we did our best tonight, and our best was not enough,” midfielder Michel Essien said. “They are one of the favorites, and to play football like this against them is not easy.”
The win may have been costly for Italy, which stretched its unbeaten streak to 19 games. Playmaker Francesco Totti exited the game after taking a hit on his surgically repaired left leg in the second half. His status for Saturday’s game against the United States is uncertain.
With both teams threatening often but failing to capitalize, Italy changed its tactics slightly on its 10th corner kick. Instead of directing the ball in front of the goal, Totti slipped a short pass back to Pirlo beyond the corner of the area and the midfielder sent in a low, angled shot from 22 yards that found its way into the net through a maze of players.
“Today my son asked me to score. I’m happy I pulled it off,” Pirlo said.
Iaquinta’s goal was the product of a defensive error by Samuel Kuffour, after which Iaquinta sailed in alone, faked out goalkeeper Richard Kingston, and put the ball into the unguarded net.
AUSTRALIA 3, JAPAN 1 at Kaiserslautern: The goals came in a flurry in the Aussies’ first Cup victory. Tim Cahill scored in the 84th minute and again five minutes later. John Aloisi added one in injury time.
“It was unbelievable to come away with a first World Cup win like that,” Aloisi said. “It was 10 minutes of probably the most exciting soccer that Australia has ever seen.”
The Aussies didn’t appear capable of even tying the game after falling behind in the first half. But Cahill, who came on in the 53rd minute, equalized when he picked up a loose ball off a throw-in and beat Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi with a right-footed shot. The Japanese goalkeeper erred in coming out of his net. Five minutes later, with the Japanese clearly off-balance, Cahill scored from 20 yards with a right-footed shot that went in off the goalpost.
Although the stunned Japanese pushed up for a second goal, it was Aloisi who found the net in the final seconds from 15 yards after snaking through the defense.
Today’s games
South Korea vs. Togo, 7 a.m., ESPN2/KCEC-50
France vs. Switzerland, 10 a.m., ESPN2/KCEC-50
Brazil vs. Croatia, 1 p.m., ESPN2/KCEC-50
