France vs Italy

Group C was called the group of death being the hardest of all 4. And they could not have called it better. World cup finalists from 2006, France and Italy, were drawn together along with Romania and the Netherlands. Marco van Basten`s dutch side had impressive victories over both these sides playing today and Romania managed to pull out a surprizer draw with both of them as well.

So with both teams locked on 1 point in the last game, the best 2 teams in the world were in a do or die situation on the final match day of group c. But even if one team win, they need the Netherlands to get a draw or a win, for them to qualify. 

Both managers under severe pressure from the fans and the media, just like Joegem Low was yesterday, they made several changes. Raymond Domenech was missing Lilian Thuram through injury and Patrick Vieria was still not fit. Eric Abidal was playing in the center of defense and Karim Benzema came in for Florent Malouda. Roberto Donadoni`s big story on the other hand was leaving out Alexandro del Piero and allowing the bad boy of Italian football, Antonio Cassano in the starting line up.

So a high pressure replay of the FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 final was on the way with the big man, Luca Toni having the first chance of the match. He did very well to get into the box but misfired misribially wide of the post. 

Problems seemed to have just started for the Euro 2000 winners when their star man, Frank Ribery was taken off on a stretcher after just 10th minutes due to what seems like a fracture in the leg. He was replaced by 20 year old former club team mate Samir Narsi.

Managers now like to be brave and put just one man on the post instead of two, and Claude Makelele demonstrated why infact both posts need to be covered. Panucci, Italy`s only goal scorer so far, headed a conner goal bound but was cleared off the line by the Chelsea midfielder. 

But the final break through was finally made in the 24th minute. Luca Toni was one on one with the keeper but Eric Abidal, who looked uncomfortably out of position so far, tripped the Bayren striker from the back. Penalty for Italy, red for Abidal, horror for France. 

Andres Pirlo, who took one of the winning penalties in Germany in 2006, stepped up for this one and made no mistake in firing into the top conner. A much deserved lead for Italy was finally theirs. 

Center Back Boumsong was brought on for substitute Samir Narsi as France`s youngest squad member lasted just 15 minutes on the pitch. 

But that did not help Domenech`s poor defense. Luca Toni had 3 clear cut chances in succession. 

The first of whcih came just a few moments after the goal. He somehow managed to get Perrotta's cross near the goal and did not miss by much. Fabulous effort. 

Not much later the 6 foot 5 inch striker was wide of the target again when the Bundasliga`s top scorer attempted to volley Pirlo`s cross. 

The last of them was at the half hour mark as he turned really well but did not force a save from Coupet. Very encouraging signs for the 4 time world champions. 

The last real chance of the half fell to Fabio Grosso whos free kick from just outside the area required a stunning fingertip save from his Lyon team mate Coupet to deny the man who scored the winning penalty against the same side at the 2006 Fifa World Cup.

A brilliant half from Italy`s point of view, but France have a lot of work to do in the second half if they are to have any chance of progressing to the quarter finals for a meeting with Spain. Romania on the other hand, are holding the Netherlands goal less at the break so if things stay this way, Donadoni`s men will be through. 

France had the first chance of the second half as a brilliant ball from Toulalan was struck over the bar by Karim Benzema from just outside the area.

Thierry Henry also had his chance to get the equalizer. He turned and shot very well, in his trademark style, but was saved well by Mr. Reliable, Gigi Buffon. 

The Barcelona striker called the Juventus keeper back into action just 2 minutes later but it had the same result.

There was a huge roar from the Italian supporters as the news was that the Netherlands had taken the lead against Romania thanks to a Huntalaar goal. If the result of the other game stays the same, even a draw would be enough for the Azzuri. 

But a draw is not what they wanted. Daniel di Rossi took a free kick from about 30 yards out and shot to his left. Goalkeeper Coupet also dived the same side, but the ball struck the leg of Thierry Henry who was in the wall and was deflected straight into the goal. Very poor luck for Domenech but his counterpart could not care less. 

15 minutes from time, Karim Benzema had a beautiful opportunity to pull one back. He curled the ball with his right foot from outside the area but Buffon made a magnificent save to deny the Lyon youngster. By far his side`s best chance of the match. 

France`s chance did look slim but Italy`s looked stronger than ever as Netherlands scored another one. This time Robin van Persie getting on the end of it to match the score from Zurich.

Luca Toni had the chance to make it 3 in stoppage time when he got the ball from Cassano and shot just over the goal from long range. Did not miss by far. 

In the end it was 2-0 for the Italians who began his career as manager of the national team with a 3-1 defeat to France in a Euro 2008 qualifier. 4 days ago they faced the prospect of an embarrassing early exit, but now have booked the right to play Spain in the quarter final in a few days time. But they will be without influential midfielders Pirlo and Gatusso, who both picked up their second yellow card of the tournament tonight. As for the French a frustrating and unfortunate day comes to and end, and so could the careers of their coach and many senior players like Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele.