The Hindu : Sport : Totti's penalty kick takes Italy into last 8

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006

Sport

Sport

Totti's penalty kick takes Italy into last 8

KAISERSLAUTERN: Francesco Totti scored from the penalty spot in injury time to lead Italy to a 1-0 victory over Australia in a tense World Cup last 16 match on Monday. Italy has moved into the quarter-finals.

Totti, who came off the bench in the 75th minute, took the penalty after Lucas Neill brought down Fabio Grosso with 12 seconds of injury time left to play.

The AS Roma playmaker, still not fully fit after 75 days out following a broken left leg, then scored to send the three-time World Cup champion into the last eight.

Francesco Totti

Italy was reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Marco Materazzi was sent off for bringing down Marco Bresciano just outside the area.

Australia dominated possession after Materazzi's red card, but rarely created good goal-scoring opportunities.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon twice saved shots from Scott Chipperfield and, with the Australians in control, Italy coach Marcello Lippi gambled by sending on Totti.

In the 89th minute, Australia midfielder Tim Cahill had another chance from Marco Bresciano's corner, but he headed over the crossbar.

Earlier, Italy striker Luca Toni nearly scored four times before the team was reduced to 10 men. — AP

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