Italy Beats Shorthanded Czechs At World Cup
Posted June 22, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The tumult in the city’s Italian neighbourhoods spilled back out in the street in a wave of celebrations Thursday, after the Italians beat the Czech Republic at their World Cup match in Hamburg.
Substitute defender Marco Materazzi headed in Francesco Totti’s 26th-minute corner for his first goal in 29 international appearances.
And fellow substitute Filippo Inzaghi scored in the 87th minute when he beat the offside trap and ran unopposed from halfway to score with a low shot.
The Czechs were playing at a distinct disadvantage in this one, winding up with only 10 men when midfielder Jan Polak picked up a second yellow card in the first half injury time.
The victory gives Italy seven points in Group E and means they won’t have to play Group F leaders Brazil, one of the strongest contenders, in the second round.
The loss eliminates the Czechs who earned only three points in the tournament when they beat the U.S. 3-0 in the opening game.
