
Former West Ham player Alessandro Diamanti struck the winning spot kick to seal a 4-2 on penalties victory for the Italians after Ashleys Young and Cole had missed for England. It was no more than Italydeserved as they had dominated the majority of the match, with the England goal leading something of a charmed life at times.
For two traditionally cagey teams, it was a very open first ten minutes. De Rossi almost got his name on the scoresheet after just two minutes, but his 30-yard volley came back off the upright with Joe Hart beaten. Glen Johnson then came close for England after a slick passing move on the edge of the box ended with Buffon producing a reaction save to claw away the Liverpool man’s rising shot.
Wayne Rooney almost put Danny Welbeck in, but the ball was deflected out for a corner. Moments later Rooney got on the end of a floated Johnson cross, but couldn’t keep his header down and the chance was gone.
After a spell of dominance from England, Italy began to get more time on the ballbut found it hard to find a way past a solid England defence. Montolivo, Pirlo and Marchisio began to pull the strings in midfield with a series of slick passing movements, but there was no end product for the Italians as first Balotelli and then Cassano failed to trouble Hart.
Welbeck spurned a glorious chance just after the half hour when he shot over from the edge of the box after good work from Scott Parker, Ashley Young and Rooney. At the other end Cassano stung Hart’s hands with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box.
Italy should have been ahead on 40 minutes when Cassano headed Balzetti’s floated ball back across goal, but Balotelli couldn’t convert from five yards as Lescott got in to divert the ball away for a corner. That was the last major action of a fascinating first half – England had started well but Italy were running things in midfield.
The second half began much like the first, with both sides having chances. First Milner sent a dangerous cut back into the Italian penalty area, but the ball evaded Rooney and Welbeck and Bonucci was able to clear. At the other end De Rossi missed a golden opportunity when he shot wide from from six yards.
England were again counting their blessings on 52 minutes when Hart could only parry a fierce Balotelli shot and Montolivo blazed the rebound just over with the goal gaping.
Ashley Young had an effort deflected out for a corner just after the hour after some good work from substitute Andy Carroll, but it was cold comfort for Roy Hodgson’s men who were struggling to keep the Italians at bay.
Substitute Diamanti then forced a good save from Hart from the edge of the box but, as the clock ran down and both sides visibly tired, neither team looked likely to break the deadlock.
Italy almost won it two minutes from the end of normal time when substitute Nocerino got on the end of a Marchisio through ball, but Johnson got across to make a good block. Rooney then blazed a bicycle kick over right at the end of normal time after some good build up play as the game headed for extra time and the prospect of a dreaded penalty shoot-out loomed large.
A shot-cum-cross from Diamanti which glanced off the foot of the post was the closest either team came to scoring during the first period of extra time, with both sides getting men behind the ball when not in possession.
Nocerino had the ball in the net six minutes from the end when he headed home a Maggio cross, but his effort was ruled out for offside and it was down to who could hold their nerve from 12 yards.
Montolivo was the first to miss after Balotelli and Gerrard scored. Rooney and Pirlo both scored before Ashley Young missed to leave it at 2-2 after three kicks each.
Nocerino then converted for Italy, but Ashley Cole’s effort was easily saved by Buffont. Diamanti then confidently sent Hart the wrong way and Italy were through to a semi-final meeting with Germany on Thursday, while England were left to ponder yet another penalty shoot-out exit at a major tournament.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar