World Cup Fever

“Walk on.. Walk on.. You’ll never walk alone” The famous song, mostly known by Liverpool supporters, played in the Dortmund stadium, as the players, fans and Germany cried for their national team’s exit.

Both teams entered the match with an emphasis on defensive midfielders, and it was mostly a tactical game rather than any other type of game. They both tried to penetrate the other’s defence line, but even so, Lehmann and Buffon were up to any tests.

So the game had to go to extra time with players looking tired. Italy threw in Iaquinta and Gilardino earlier, and introduced Del Piero as well in the hopes of snatching a goal, while Germany brought Neuville for the ineffective Klose, and Schweinsteiger and Odonkor to add some attacking midfielders. But Italy’s subs were the ones who payed off, as the Italians hit the bar twice through Gilardino and Zambrotta in the first few minutes in the first extra half.

The match seemed to go to penalties, when Italy’s Fabio Grosso made the vital move again, but scoring this time with a curling shot to the far side of Lehmann. The German players just brokedown with the goal, as it came in the 119th minute. The killer goal and the broken down Germans only paved the way for another one, a minute later with a Del Piero lob to send the very few Italian fans in the stadium wild, and the majority of Germans into tears.

Goals:

• 119′ Grosso, Italy (0-1)
• 120′ Del Peiro, Italy (0-2)