World Cup 2010 shocker! Defending champion Italy eliminated after 3-2 loss to Slovakia

By Michael Lewis

Thursday, June 24th 2010, 1:07 PM

Breloer/AP

It's a stunning end for Fabio Cannavaro and Italy as the defending World Cup champions lose to Slovakia in Johannesburg Thursday and finish with a 0-1-2 record in South Africa.

Sohn/AP

Kamil Kopunek celebrates Slovakia's third goal.

JOHANNESBURG - The defending champions were eliminated from the World Cup Thursday, but Italy did not go down without a fight.

Trying desperately to tie and clinch a spot in the second round, Italy was stunned by underdog Slovakia, 3-2, in a Group F match that seemingly had most of the action in the final 15 minutes and extra-time at Ellis Park.

Trailing 2-0 and 3-1, the Italians tried to equalize, but fell short.

The elimination meant that both finalists from Germany 2006 were bounced out in the opening round. The French exited on a disgraceful note earlier this week with infighting between the players and coach Raymond Domenech.

For the first time since 1974, the Italians were eliminated in the opening round as they finished with an 0-1-2 record.

Don't expect many Italian players to vacation in South Africa any time soon. The Italians were embarrassed twice within a 12-month span. They were ousted after going 1-2 in last year's FIFA Confederation Cup and exit this competition early, becoming only the second defending champion to be eliminated in the opening round.

After recording this unlikely victory, the Slovak team formed a circle in the center circle and danced and sang together in celebration.

Forward Robert Vittek wound up the hero for Slovakia (1-1-1, four points), which started the day in last place in the four-team group. He struck in each half.

Vittek gave Slovakia a 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute, when he beat goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with a blast from the top of the penalty area to the lower left corner.

He doubled the lead in the 73rd minute as he beat defender Giorgio Chiellini from five yards.

The Italians closed to the gap in the 81st minute as Antonio Di Natale scored from point-blank range.

Then a bizarre situation ensued when substitute Fabio Quagliarella got into a shoving match with goalkeeper Jan Mucha in the goal as he tried to get the ball to midfield for a kickoff. Slovak teammate Juraj Kucka came over and pushed aside Quagliarella in the net.

The Italians thought they had equalized in the 84th minute, but Quagliarella was called offside on a questionable call.

Slovakia, however, regained its two-goal margin in the 89th minute as Kamil Kopunek chipped the keeper from seven yards after a throw-in.

Italy came back in stoppage time, however, as Quagliarella tallied from long range as the defending champions continued to push forward.

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