Italy have beaten Australia 1-0 in injury-time in their knockout match in the World Cup Finals in Kaiserslautern on Monday. Italy were reduced to 10-men for half the match, but defended well and an injury-time penalty for a tackle on Fabio Grosso gave the Azzurri the win.

Both teams started strongly, with Australia managing to maintain some good possession and with a good tempo to the match.

Luca Toni had the first decent chance of the match and should have scored from Alessandro Del Piero's fine cross from the left but the ball went-wide.

Australia were also pressing themselves with a few half-chances, but as the half progressed Italy began to take command, forcing Mark Schwarzer into a couple of fine saves.

Alberto Gilardino had a good chance after a cross from Gattuso but the AC Milan Striker’s shot was palmed over by Schwarzer, after having also been denied by a great tackle from Scott Chipperfield.

Chipperfield had the best chance of the half for Australia, pouncing on a loose ball in the Italian box, but shooting straight at Azzurri keeper Gianluigi Buffon from close range.

But Italy took control of the half and were unlucky not to have taken the lead in the first-half after a host of chances from Italy, especially Luca Toni, but equally, with a string of fine saves from Schwarzer.

The half ended 0-0, but with the Azzurri in control of the match after an early flutter from Australia.

The second-half started very badly for Italy, with Marco Materrazzi getting sent-off in the 50th minute for bringing down Australia’s Marco Bresciano, and having been deemed to be the last defender by the referee, who showed the Azzurri defender a straight red-card.

Italy head coach Marcello Lippi brought on defender Andrea Barzagli for Luca Toni after the sending-off to sure-up the defence.

Australia started to take advantage their numerical superiority, but Italy were defending well, with the threat of a counter-attack always there.

Lippi substituted Del Piero for Francesco Totti with fifteen minutes left of normal-time in an attempt to steal a winner.

Australia couldn’t find the space for any proper attack as the Italians defended well, but as the 90-minutes came to a close the Socceroos started to get more attacks in, with Tim Cahill having a shot go just-high and with Socceroos head coach Guus Hiddink bringing on John Aloisi for Sterjovski to add some extra spice to their attack.

Italy defended well to deny the chances that Australia had and the Socceroos’ were made to pay for their lack of finishing when, in the last minute of injury-time, Italy were awarded a penalty after a rash tackle from Lucas Neill on Fabio Grosso.

Francesco Totti tucked away the penalty to give the Azzurri the win against a determined and well organised Australia, who can feel proud of their performance.

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