Italy have taken a 1-0 lead into half-time against Ukraine in the second quarter-final of the World Cup Finals in Hamburg on Friday, with an early strike from Gianluca Zambrotta to give the Azzurri the lead.

Both teams knew the winner to face Germany in the Semi-finals, but it was Italy who took control of the match and after a goal in the 6th minute from a stunning strike from nowhere from Gianluca Zambrotta after latching onto a cross from Francesco Totti.

Ukraine had no real chances at goal, with the Azzurri defending extremely well and forcing Ukraine to a series of half-hearted counter attacks and Italians doing what they do best…defending a slender lead perfectly.

Andriy Rusol was forced to retire just before half-time, with Vladyslav Vashchuk replacing him and with Ukraine looking totally without any attacking ideas.

Most people will now be expecting that the experience of the Italians will see them progress through to the semi-finals to meet the World Cup hosts Germany, however if Ukraine manage to get an early goal back, there may be life to the match yet.

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