WORLD CUP
Ibaraki Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan
COMPLETE TEAM
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Goal
Shot
Video
Goal
Shot
Video
Shots (on goal)
tackles
Fouls
possession
Italy
-
-
45%
55%
Croatia
-
Italy
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Gianluigi Buffon |
D |
2 | Christian Panucci |
D |
3 | Paolo Maldini |
D |
5 | Fabio Cannavaro |
D |
13 | Alessandro Nesta |
| D | 23 | Marco Materazzi |
M |
6 | Cristiano Zanetti |
M |
11 | Christaino Doni |
| F | 9 | Filippo Inzaghi |
M |
17 | Damiano Tommasi |
M |
19 | Gianluca Zambrotta |
F |
10 | Francesco Totti |
F |
21 | Christian Vieri |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| D | 23 | Marco Materazzi |
| F | 9 | Filippo Inzaghi |
Croatia
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Stipe Pletikosa |
D |
3 | Josip Simunic |
D |
4 | Stejpan Tomas |
D |
15 | Danijel Saric |
D |
17 | Robert Jarni |
D |
21 | Robert Kovac |
M |
5 | Milan Rapajc |
| D | 20 | Dario Simic |
M |
7 | Davor Vugrinec |
| F | 18 | Ivica Olic |
M |
10 | Nico Kovac |
M |
14 | Zvonimir Soldo |
| M | 16 | Jurica Vranjes |
F |
11 | Alen Boksic |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| D | 20 | Dario Simic |
| M | 16 | Jurica Vranjes |
| F | 18 | Ivica Olic |
Match Stats
- Italy
- Croatia
| 9(6) | Shots (on goal) | 10(7) |
| 26 | Fouls | 21 |
| 5 | Corner kicks | 4 |
| 3 | Offsides | 0 |
| 45% | Time of Possession | 55% |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 5 | Saves | 4 |
90'
90'
...but it's poor, and it's cleared. Croatia so close now
90'
Italy have a free-kick out wide on the right - this could be the last chance...
90'
...but the 'goal' is ruled out - the linesman had seen some shirt-pulling and the flag goes up
90'
Late drama... there's a tangle in the Croatia area, Inzaghi gets the faintest of touches and the ball rolls in...
90'
Totti tumbles in the penalty area - referee Poll is unmoved by that...
90'
Panucci meets it, but his header is much too high. Four minutes of stoppage time to be played
90'
Zambrotta's in the thick of the action again, winning a corner
89'
The rebound eludes Italy's waiting players... twice they've come agonisingly close to levelling the scores
89'
Zambrotta has something to say about that: he fires in an excellent shot from the edge of the box and Pletikosa makes a good stop
88'
Croatia clear, and win a throw. They're a couple of minutes or so away from a superb win...
87'
Totti hits an absolute screamer which whizzes past Pletikosa, hits the inside of the post and stays out. A brilliant effort - he's very unlucky
87'
Inzaghi tumbles under a challenge around 30 yards out and central - chance for Italy, and Totti, to do something here
86'
Angelo Di Livio is set to come on - Italy's final throw of the dice
85'
Totti makes a heavy challenge on Saric, giving away the free-kick
84'
Totti's attempted cross is blocked: Croatia fans more than happy with that
83'
Throw to Italy near the Croatia area: will the late pressure start here?
83'
Croatia substitute Olic is down after a challenge, but he'll be OK to continue
82'
Inzaghi does well, twisting inside the Croatia penalty area. Robert Kovac steps in to end that danger
81'
Cannavaro is struggling under the pressure of another Croatia attack, but recovers in time to get the ball away
80'
Italy get a free-kick, try to take it quickly and waste it: Totti's delivery is too far ahead of Inzaghi
80'
Into the last ten minutes of a match that has really come to life
79'
Inzaghi is on for Doni, and Simic will replace goalscorer Rapajc
78'
Croatia getting ready to make another substitution - meanwhile, they win a free-kick. Italy will make a change too...
77'
Unbelievable events here: can shellshocked Italy find a way back into the match?
76'
...and the ball rebounds to Rapajc, who hooks it over his shoulder and into the corner from almost the edge of the area. Croatia have turned it right around - they lead 2-1!
76'
Rapajc crosses after another good run - it's really opening up now, this game...
75'
...and Olic sets off on a barnstorming run, with the final cross causing plenty of flutters in the Italian defence before being cleared
75'
So nearly two goals in two minutes for Croatia...
74'
Maldini responds by firing in a shot for Italy - Boksic, though, breaks away and his cross from the right is agonisingly close to being turned in by Rapajc
73'
Back to the other end - Jarni crosses and Olic, the substitute, gets on the end of it inside the six yard box. He flicks it past Buffon and it's 1-1!
72'
...he charges in on goal, but hacks wildly at the final shot and it flies high and wide
72'
Rapajc swings a free-kick into the area: the delivery is poor and Italy break with Vieri...
71'
...and, by and large, they're looking pretty comfortable at the moment
70'
Italy have plenty of players behind the ball every time Croatia come forward...
69'
It's too long, but not by much. A little over 20 minutes left for the Croats to try and salvage their situation
68'
Another cross will come in, Boksic the supplier...
67'
Cannavaro cuts out an attempted through pass - Jarni gets it back and crosses, but Materazzi is in the right place to produce an excellent clearing header
66'
Soldo is off and Jurica Vranjes on: another Croatia switch
66'
Zambrotta makes a good run, but messes up the final ball: it's neither cross nor shot and is easy for Pletikosa
66'
...but Italy are beginning to stamp some superiority on proceedings now. It's going to be tough for their opponents
65'
Croatia give the ball away dangerously, but recover well to win it back. They have to start pushing forward now...
64'
...but the cross just eludes his waiting colleagues. Nice movement from Italy there, though
63'
Vieri releases Doni with a smart first-time flick. He's got space on the left...
62'
Italy try to cause more problems with another cross: Pletikosa is equal to that one
61'
Rapajc delivers a poor dead ball for Croatia - it fails to beat the first man and is a waste of a promising situation
60'
Then Soldo is forced into another good clearance following a whipped cross into the heart of the Croatia danger zone
60'
Vieri is waiting again as a cross comes in - this time, there's a good clearing header
59'
Italy deal with that scramble: it now remains to be seen whether they settle for 1-0 or push on for further goals
58'
He's quickly into the action, hitting a shot which is blocked on the edge of the box
57'
Vugrinec comes off and Ivica Olic comes on in his place
56'
Croatia have to find a response, otherwise they're on their way home... they'll make a substitution
55'
Suddenly, the breakthrough... Doni crosses well from the right and Vieri climbs well to loop a great header beyond Pletikosa. It's 1-0 Italy!
55'
More midfield scrappery... free-kick to Croatia for handball, but it comes to nothing
54'
It skids into the area, and Croatia manage to hack it clear
53'
Totti lurking on the edge of the area, and he's fouled by Robert Kovac. Potentially dangerous free-kick here...
53'
Cannavaro meets the flag kick with a good header out - Rapajc strikes a long-range shot, but it poses little real threat to Buffon's goal
52'
And Croatia react to that scare by going straight to the other end and winning a corner. Noise from their supporters now
52'
So it remains goalless - although an Italian lead would have been harsh on Croatia
51'
Vieri is booked for his protests, but he seemed to be in line with the last defender and therefore onside
50'
He nods home but the flag is up for offside, and that looks a contentious decision
49'
Doni is brought down and Italy attempt to work the free-kick towards the area... it's looped in towards Vieri
49'
Nico Kovac on the ball... Boksic and Vugrinec combine, but weight of numbers in the Italian defence brings a halt to that move
48'
So they're all still awake, which is nice
47'
Totti looks to set things in motion with a sweeping ball down the left... it results in a throw, and there's a bit of noise from the Italian fans now
47'
Boksic tries to get on the end of that, but it's just overhit and skims away to safety from the Italian point of view
46'
Italy inside their own half - they give it away and Croatia can cross...
45'
We're under way in the second period. Please let it be better. Please, please, please
45'
45'
At the other end, Croatia have a free-kick - but there's no time to take it
45'
Panucci crosses again, and Vieri just fails to get on the end of that pass
45'
They deal with it well, and we're into stoppage time at the end of this first period
45'
...but then Panucci plays a decent ball in and there are one or two anxious moments before the Croats clear and concede a corner
45'
Dull though it's been, Croatia certainly deserve to be winning on the balance of efforts on goal
44'
Doni takes a knock, but he's soon OK... Rapajc gets in a shot after an neat move featuring Middlesbrough's Boksic, but Buffon is in the right place to make a low save
43'
Vugrinec gets his attempted through pass wrong with players in support... but Croatia have played the more incisive football thus far
42'
Another free-kick to Italy, again in midfield. Niggle, niggle, niggle
41'
Rapajc tries to enliven matters, and life in general, by whizzing into the Italy penalty area. His attempted final ball is blocked without too much difficulty, however
40'
Italy look a little cagey (why?), and Croatia have had some good moments - but it's scrappy and stop-start. Not a game to capture the imagination
39'
The free-kick is wasted, hurried and overhit. This has been a pretty drab first half overall
39'
Another free-kick to Italy, Totti crashing to the ground like a felled tree. Robert Kovac is booked for the challenge
38'
He clips one towards Vieri, but it picks up a bit of pace and runs through to keeper Pletikosa
37'
It's cleared without too many problems: Italy, however, win possession back and Totti is on the ball once more
37'
Zanetti challenges strongly and the end result as an Italian corner
36'
Totti picks up a pass from Vieri and is fouled... free-kick to Italy, a short way inside the Croatian half...
36'
His cross is disappointing though - it causes no problems at all for the Croatia defence
35'
Panucci has space on the right for Italy after some crisp midfield play...
34'
Vieri shows some good skill to turn inside the Croastia half. He's eventually outnumbered, but signs of a few more attacking intentions from Italy all of a sudden
33'
Another Italian pass forward - this one aimed at Totti - is too long
32'
Doni looks for Vieri down the middle... the ball's just overhit and goes out for a goal-kick
31'
Nothing - Croatia get it away and then Pletikosa claims the follow-up cross with plenty of confidence
31'
Which ends with a free-kick in a promising position. What can they make of this?
30'
They're struggling to create any danger - but Vieri sets off on a run...
30'
Maldini slices the ball straight out of play - Italy aren't looking at all impressive at the moment
29'
Rapajc has a go - his low shot, which takes a slight deflection, is well fielded by Buffon
28'
And here come Croatia once more... they look for Boksic but Italy, scrappily and uncertainly, hack it away from the danger zone
27'
The cross is curled in well, but the header is over the top. Decent spell from Croatia following a period of sleepy play in the game as a whole
26'
Materazzi makes a miraculous clearance as Vugrinec closes in on goal following more good Croatia passing... it's a corner
25'
Good movement from Croatia ends with Soldo having a shot from just outside the area. It's not too far wide of Buffon's far post
24'
Totti tries his luck from all of 40 yards following a free-kick - predictably, from that distance, the effort fails to trouble anyone
23'
Indeed he can't, and Materazzi will come on to replace him
22'
Nesta's picked up a knock, and may not be able to continue...
22'
Vugrinec takes advantage from the throw-in, striking an excellent shot from distance which Buffon clings on to
21'
Totti - uncharacteristically - gets it all wrong, putting a pass straight out of play
20'
Kovac is again involved, winning a free-kick around half-way after a Tomassi challenge
19'
Already, Croatia are unrecognisable from the team that performed so tamely against Mexico
18'
Kovac does brilliantly to jink into the Italy area, and only a last-gasp Cannavaro interception prevents Croatia from carving out a great opportunity
17'
Croatia pressure well to force Italy into some hurried passing - and then give the ball away carelessly after winning it back
16'
Doni looked as though he was going to get right through the Croatia defence
16'
Good goalkeeping, and the first moment of real threat from the Italians
15'
Doni gets a shot in, and it's blocked by Pletikosa
15'
Good play by Tomas, who closes down Totti before the dangerman gets a chance to turn... but the ball goes into the area...
14'
Italy just playing the ball around at the back, trying to find their range... it's been a decent enough start to the game overall
13'
Zanetti plays a long ball towards Totti, who's crowded out by Croatian defenders
12'
Maldini clears and Jarni lines up a long-range effort which is far too high
12'
They try to do just that - and the ball deflects away for a corner
11'
Maldini dumps Vugrinec to the ground out wide on the right - Croatia can swing this free-kick into the heart of the penalty area...
10'
Jarni is thwarted by Panucci after a good run down the left had seen him almost engineer a good crossing position - decent play by Croatia once more
10'
Panucci crosses well towards Vieri, who gets a flick to the ball but is unable to direct it goalwards
9'
Boksic can't hold onto the ball, though, and Italy win it back comfortably enough
9'
Nesta fouls Rapajc on half-way, and it's another free-kick for Croatia
8'
It's a changed line-up, of course - no Davor Suker or Robert Prosinecki
8'
Jarni plays it forward, and Panucci is there with a good interception. Croatia beginning to enjoy their own good little spell now
7'
Nico Kovac is brought down by Zanetti on halfway... Rapajc tries to make headway down the left, but the ball zips out for a goal-kick
6'
The Croats can build again - Nico Kovac lifts the ball forward and Buffon comes out to collect
5'
Soldo comes forward from the back for Croatia, but his attempted crossfield pass is easily cut out
5'
A good start by Italy, who are playing plenty of positive football
4'
From that, Panucci goes on to win a corner. Zambrotta tries his luck from distance, and keeper Pletikosa holds on well
4'
It's Totti who hits it - the Croatia wall stands firm and the ball deflects away for a throw to Italy
3'
Yet again... he takes a tumble inside the D after a challenge by Tomas and wins his side a very dangerous early free-kick
2'
Totti's soon involved again - Jarni's there with a well-timed challenge
1'
Totti gets his first touch down the right, but the offside flag goes up
1'
Jarni plays it in, but referee Graham Poll had spotted some pushing and Italy have the free-kick
And it's Croatia who get matters under way... Italy are soon forced to concede a corner after Rapajc's break
Croatia facing the toughest of tasks - they must find a dramatic improvement on their performance against Mexico