WORLD CUP

Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Referee: Armando Archundia | Attendance: 65000

* Local time based on your geographic location.

0 - 2

FT

Game 61

Italy

  • • Fabio Grosso 119'
  • • Alessandro Del Piero 120' +1'

  • 121'

    The Italian players are celebrating a wonderful victory whilst the Germans hold their heads in their hands. It's a really tough finish to the tournament for the hosts, who had started to believe their name was on the trophy.

  • 121'

    FULL-TIME: Italy break Germany's hearts with two late, late strikes. Italy make the final on Sunday.

  • 120'

    GOAL! Italy break through the space as Germany press forward; Gilardino unselfishly feeds Del Piero, who curls past Lehmann.

  • 120'

    Grosso's wonderful late goal has Germany stunned. Just seconds to hang on now for Italy now...

  • 119'

    GOAL! Grosso is found by Pirlo's cute pass inside the area; the full-back cuts on to his left foot and curls a shot inside the far corner.

  • 118'

    SAVE! Pirlo steps inside and fires in a left-foot shot, but Lehmann is equal to the effort and turns it around the post.

  • 117'

    There are a lot of very tired legs out on the pitch; Pirlo and Gattuso, Ballack and Kehl are almost dead-on-their-feet.

  • 116'

    WIDE! Odonkor fires in a shot from distance, but he skids an effort a couple of yards wide of the post.

  • 115'

    Schweinsteiger tries to win a free-kick as he draws a challenge from Cannavaro on the edge of the area, but the referee doesn't see a foul.

  • 114'

    There are no signs that these two signs are playing for penalties; they are both still giving it their all.

  • 113'

    GOOD DEFENDING! Friedrich is forced to turn a dangerous low cross from Iaquinta over his own bar, with Del Piero lurking behind him.

  • 112'

    GOOD SAVE! The ball is worked to Podolski as Germany break; the youngster fires in a fierce shot, but Buffon is well positioned and palms over the bar for a corner.

  • 112'

    Neuville has appeared from the bench in every game for Germany so far this tournament.

  • 111'

    GERMANY SUB: Neuville comes on to replace Klose; some fresh legs for the final ten minutes.

  • 110'

    Ballack looks really tired; he isn't getting forward at all now.

  • 109'

    WIDE! Lahm collects a loose ball on the edge of the area, but curls his right-foot shot high and wide.

  • 108'

    ...but again Lehmann claims comfortably.

  • 108'

    Italy launch a swift counter of their own, Iaquinta winning a corner off Odonkor. Pirlo will take the set-piece...

  • 107'

    ...but Schweinsteiger's corner is cleared at the near post.

  • 107'

    Odonkor wins his side a corner, off the legs of Grosso...

  • 107'

    Of course, Germany have already endured - and emerged triumphant from - one penalty shoot-out so far this tournament, in their quarter-final victory against Argentina.

  • 106'

    Italy kick off the second half of extra-time.

  • 106'

    HALF-TIME, EXTRA-TIME: Just 15 minutes remaining before the spectre of a penalty shoot-out.

  • 105'

    GREAT CHANCE! Podolski gets on the end of Odonkor's cross to the near post, but plants his header well wide.

  • 104'

    Italy are still being patient in their build-up; there are no signs of panic from either side.

  • 103'

    ITALY SUB: Perrotta is replaced by Del Piero; Italy have a very attacking line-up on the field at the moment.

  • 102'

    Ballack and Iaquinta clash heads as they tussle for Totti's lofted pass over the top. The Italian seems to have emerged worse; he got quite a clattering.

  • 101'

    Italy have a spell with the ball outside the German penalty area, but the German defence looks to still be organised and hard-working.

  • 100'

    None of the substitutes have really come on and grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck; there are some tired players out there, and the subs should be coming in to their own.

  • 99'

    ...but again, Schweinsteiger's delivery is poor and the cross is easily cleared.

  • 98'

    Podolski has his shirt tugged by Cannavaro; free-kick, and another chance for Germany to put in a dangerous cross...

  • 97'

    Podolski beats the off-side flag, but Ballack's pass is a little too strong and runs through to Buffon.

  • 96'

    Materazzi looks a little groggy as he is struck on the head by Kehl's fierce drive.

  • 95'

    ...but Schweinsteiger's corner is over-hit and cleared by Cannavaro.

  • 94'

    Lahm is brought down by Zambrotta on the left-edge of the penalty area. Schweinsteiger's free-kick strikes the one-man wall and goes behind for a corner...

  • 94'

    Italy have struck the woodwork twice in the last three minutes; what a start to extra-time.

  • 93'

    OFF THE BAR! Zambrotta thunders a shot off the crossbar after collecting a corner that had been half-cleared to the edge of the area.

  • 92'

    Iquinta's cross is charged down by Lahm; Italy corner.

  • 91'

    GREAT SKILL! OFF THE POST! Gilardinho gets to the by-line, rounds his marker and prods past Lehmann... only to see the ball rebound off the post!

  • 91'

    ITALY SUB: Camoranesi is replaced by Iaquinta; an attacking change from Lippi.

  • 90'

    Germany kick off the first half of extra-time.

  • 92'

    END OF 90 MINUTES: We have extra-time in Dortmund after an enthralling 90 minutes. Have either side got the energy to win it before a penalty shoot-out?

  • 91'

    ...but no-one can get on the end of Kehl's flick on at the near post.

  • 90'

    Schweinsteiger curls a free-kick in to the penalty area...

  • 89'

    Camoranesi is booked for a strong challenge on Kehl on the half-way line; he is the first Italian player in the book this evening.

  • 88'

    GOOD COVER! Metzelder misses Pirlo's chip over the top; Gilardino collects, but Lahm comes across and sweeps up.

  • 87'

    Germany seem the keener side to win this in normal time; it is they who are showing the most will as the whistle looms.

  • 85'

    UNORTHODOX! Lehmann comes flying out and punches clear, taking out Perrotta in the process as the midfielder tried to get on the end of Totti's clever lofted pass.

  • 84'

    Ballack and Gattuso have a word in each others' ear as they bounce off each other when jumping for the ball in midfield.

  • 83'

    GERMANY SUB: Odonkor comes on to replace Schneider; the susbtitute will give real pace and directness down the right flank.

  • 82'

    WASTED! Ballack takes the free-kick, but blasts his shot a few yards over the crossbar. He should have done much better there.

  • 81'

    ...Ballack places the ball as Buffon arranges his defensive wall...

  • 80'

    Germany win a free-kick when Cannavaro is adjudged to have fouled Podolski as the two jumped on the edge of the penalty area; a really good shooting chance...

  • 79'

    There are a few signs that the players are beginning to tire a little; the late runs in to the penalty areas are certainly becoming less frequent.

  • 78'

    SOLID! Pirlo fires a low, bouncing shot through a crowd of players, but Lehmann claims at his near post.

  • 77'

    Ballack's late challenge leaves Camoranesi on the deck.

  • 76'

    Lehmann's handling tonight has been flawless; again he comes through a crowd to claim Totti's corner.

  • 75'

    THREATNING! Italy mount an attack down the right; Totti looks to get on a cross to the back post, but Kehl has tracked the run and heads out for a corner.

  • 73'

    ITALY SUB: Gilardino comes on to replace Toni; Lippi looks to strengthen his front line for the closing stages.

  • 72'

    GERMANY SUB: Schweinsteiger comes on to replace Borowski; an injection of youth and energy down the left wing for the home side.

  • 71'

    Gattuso goes down with a touch of cramp; he is another to have worked particularly hard this evening.

  • 70'

    TOO CLEVER! Schneider's first-time pass through to Podolski fools everyone; Buffon collects.

  • 69'

    The tempo has picked up again now after a little quiet spell, as if both sides have taken a deep breath and are ready for one final push.

  • 68'

    Germany break through Ballack; they have a man over on the left, but the pass back inside towards Podolski is cut out inside his own area by Zambrotta.

  • 67'

    FORGOT THE BALL! Ballack's pass releases Podolski down the left channel; the youngster runs at Cannavaro, but the ball gets caught up in his feet and Italy clear.

  • 66'

    Still no sign of any changes from Lippi or Klinsmann; they both have plenty of attacking options on the bench.

  • 65'

    The game has been a bit scrappy in the last five minutes or so; passes are starting to go a bit awry, and neither side can maintain a spell of pressure.

  • 64'

    Grosso holds his head after an accidental clash with Klose; the full-back is fine after a splash of water from the physio.

  • 63'

    Toni is working very hard up front for Italy; he is doing his best to hold up the ball and bring his team-mates in to the game, and has made some excellent runs.

  • 62'

    GREAT TURN! Podolski spins inside the area and fires in a first-time shot, but Buffon stands up tall and beats the ball clear.

  • 60'

    Perrotta is caught off-side as he tries to get on Totti's clipped pass over the top of the high German defence.

  • 59'

    Totti just catches an accidental boot in the face from Kehl; he has played well so far tonight, the Italian playmaker.

  • 58'

    Lehmann is alert enough to come out of his goal and clear with his boot as Perrotta looked to get on Pirlo's long pass.

  • 57'

    Metzelder is shown the yellow card for clipping the heels of Toni as the big striker tried to turn him in the Germany half.

  • 56'

    Materazzi catches a stray arm in the face as he and Klose jump for Lehmann's clearance.

  • 55'

    AMBITIOUS! Borowski cuts in from the left and fires in a shot from distance, but he gets under the ball and sends it over the crossbar.

  • 54'

    Perrotta's persistence wins his side the first corner of the second period. Totti sends it in to the middle, but Lehmann comes out and claims.

  • 53'

    Podolski and Klose almost combine on the edge of the area, but Klose's pass is a little firm for his partner.

  • 52'

    Already, since the break we have had two or three decent chances; it really has been a quality semi-final thus far.

  • 51'

    GOOD CHANCE! OFF-SIDE! Immediately, Italy break; Totti feeds Grosso, who closes down on Lehmann, but the off-side flag ends the threat.

  • 50'

    GREAT SAVE! Klose runs directly at the heart of the Italian defence; he breaks in to the area, but Buffon makes a brave save at his feet.

  • 50'

    Germany have one or two substitutes warming up; Schweinsteiger and Adonkor would be two of their attacking options.

  • 49'

    Zambrotta is caught off-side as he tries to get on the end of Totti's pass; the right-back was furthest man forward for Italy there, a real statement of intent.

  • 48'

    Italy's defence has been excellent this tournament; they have only conceded one goal, and that was an own goal scored by Cristian Zaccardo in the group match against the United States.

  • 47'

    Everything in the first half pointed at goals after the break.

  • 46'

    Italy kick off the second half. There have been no changes to either side at the break.

  • 45'

    HALF-TIME: Terrific first half; an enthralling, open, attacking 45 minutes of football. It remains scoreless, though we have seen plenty of adventure from both sides.

  • 44'

    Ballack wins an unsual free-kick decision as Totti jumps on to his back when the two compete for a loose ball in midfield.

  • 43'

    NICE CROSS! Lahm gets down the left wing and clips over a good cross in to the middle, though Materazzi just reaches it before Podolski.

  • 43'

    Nice skill from Ballack as he flicks the ball over the head of Grosso, who brings him down as he tries to pass.

  • 42'

    Grosso makes a break down the left from his position at full-back, but Materazzi's pass is a little too strong.

  • 41'

    OOH! Pirlo curls a free-kick in to the near post; Camoranesi has lost his marker, Kehl, but his flicked header flies over the bar.

  • 40'

    Borowski becomes the first man booked as he slides through the back of Totti.

  • 39'

    ALMOST! Podolski just fails to gather Klose's neat pass on the edge of the area; those two have linked up really well so far this evening.

  • 38'

    ...but the whipped cross evades everyone and Schneider clears.

  • 37'

    Grosso wins his side a free-kick when he draws a foul from Ballack, down near the corner flag. Pirlo places the ball as his centre-backs trot forward...

  • 36'

    Ballack is such a presence in the German midfield; he is so strong and powerful, and is really driving his side on.

  • 35'

    NICE THINKING! Borowski tries to send a deep cross over to Schneider, who had ghosted in at the back post, but the pass is a little over-hit and runs out for a goal-kick.

  • 34'

    RASH! Klose rolls a ball in to the path of Schneider, breaking in to the area from the right; he smashes a shot in first-time, but sends the bal high and wide.

  • 33'

    The Italian fans are hopelessly out-numbered inside the ground, but they are doing their best to try and spur their side on to reward their recent spell of pressure with a goal.

  • 32'

    EASY CLAIM! Camoranesi's corner is plucked out of the air by Lehmann, who tries to start a quick counter-attack with a throw out to the right wing.

  • 31'

    Italy are having a good spell here; Germany perhaps started the stronger, but Italy are now having the more dangerous attacks.

  • 30'

    GREAT BLOCK! Metzelder blocks Toni's goal-bound shot at the near post after Italy had broken quickly down the left flank.

  • 29'

    UNLUCKY! Instead of crossing, Pirlo pulls the free-kick back to Totti, but his shot is blocked inside the six-yard box.

  • 29'

    Camoranesi spins Lahm on the right-edge of the area, and the defender's tackle brings down the winger. Free-kick to Italy...

  • 29'

    There is a really good feel about this match this evening; both sides seem really keen to get on with the game and leave out the diving and play-acting that has plagued this tournament.

  • 28'

    SHOULD HAVE PASSED! Schneider has Friedrich bombing on his outside, but instead opts to shoot; Materazzi blocks on the edge of the area.

  • 27'

    Totti tries to angle a pass between two defenders as he searches for the excellent run of Toni; Metersacker intercepts.

  • 26'

    Cannavaro, who has been excellent so far, stops Klose in his tracks as the striker tries to cut in from the left flank.

  • 25'

    In the last meeting between these teams, Italy beat Germany 4-1 in a friendly in Florence. All four Italy goals were scored by players involved tonight; Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero, with Robert Huth scoring a late consolation goal for Germany.

  • 24'

    ...and met by Materazzi, but the giant defender can't direct his header goalwards.

  • 24'

    Italy win a free-kick when Zambrotta is pulled back by Borowski; Pirlo sends it in to the middle...

  • 23'

    Kehl, in the side this evening because of the lats suspension to Frings, has made a good start; he is getting about the field, and looks in determined mood.

  • 22'

    It is another very warm evening in Germany; the players' shirts are already drenched in sweat as they toil in this excellent first half.

  • 21'

    HALF-A-CHANCE! Kehl clips a firm cross in to the Italian penalty area; Podolski meets it on the penalty spot with a left-foot volley, but he gets under his shot and sends the ball high over the crossbar.

  • 21'

    Podolski is up-ended by Materazzi, just inside the Italy half.

  • 20'

    HE'S EVERYWHERE! Again, Cannavaro is the last line of defence as he comes across to cut out a lofted pass meant for Podolski.

  • 19'

    The referee is giving this game every chance to flow; he isn't stopping the play for every minor infringement, and is encouraging the players to get to their feet. Nice to see.

  • 18'

    ...Borowski sends the corner in to the near post, but Kehl's flick on evades his team-mates and runs out for a throw.

  • 17'

    There is a lovely flow to this game; Italy attack, before Germany counter and win themselves a corner...

  • 16'

    WHAT A CHANCE! Perrotta is put free down the left-channel; a heavy touch hands Lehmann a chance to smother as the midfielder tried to prod the ball past him.

  • 16'

    CRUCIAL! Klose's touch almost gives Podolski a shooting chance, eight yards out; fortunately for Italy, the ever-alert Cannavaro sprints round to clear.

  • 15'

    Germany have an excellent World Cup pedigree; tonight, they are bidding to become the first side ever to reach eight World Cup finals.

  • 14'

    Klinsmann is very animated on the sidelines in these early minutes. He looks superb tonight, in a tight, spotless white shirt and jet-black trousers.

  • 13'

    BLOCKED! Cannavaro gets in a crucial block as Podolski spins on the edge of the area and fires in a left-foot shot.

  • 13'

    Both sides have made a bright start in Dortmund; it was expected to be a tight, cagey match, but there has been plenty of promising attacking play on offer in these early minutes.

  • 12'

    Materazzi and Cannavaro trot forward as Italy win a corner. Totti sends it in to the middle, but Metzelder heads clear at the back post.

  • 11'

    ALERT DEFENDING! Totti gets Italy moving down the left; Perrotta fires a low cross in to the middle, but Lahm has come across to cover.

  • 10'

    UNLUCKY! Camoranesi clips a good ball over the top of the defence for the on-rushing Perrotta to race on to, but Lehmann comes to the edge of his area to collect.

  • 9'

    WILD! Ballack gets on the ball after a nice swift move down the left flank; he fires in a first shot for the distance, but the captain slices his effort well wide.

  • 8'

    There are players on both sides walking disciplinary tightropes: Torsten Frings, Lukas Podolski, David Odonkor and Arne Friedrich will miss a potential final match if they receive a yellow card this evening, with Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso the same for Italy.

  • 7'

    Klose is down holding his calf after a foul by Materazzi; the referee allows play to continue, before having a stern word with the Italian defender.

  • 7'

    Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann has made two changes to the team that beat Argentina on penalties; Kehl replaces suspended midfielder Frings, while Borowski earns a place after Bastian Schweinsteiger was dropped.

  • 6'

    Borowski sends the set-piece over to Schneider on the edge of the area, but two Italian defenders come over quickly to snuff out the threat.

  • 5'

    Ballack is brought down by Ballack; free-kick to Germany, 45 yards from goal...

  • 5'

    This time, Lehmann's clearance is charged down by Totti, but he can't do anything with the loose ball.

  • 4'

    SAVE! Lehmann is forced in to the first save of the evening when he clutches Totti's fierce free-kick, just under his crossbar.

  • 4'

    Italy win a free-kick 40 yards out when Lehl fouls. Totti eyes up an outrageous shot...

  • 4'

    Germany made a wonderful start to their quarter-final against Argentina, and it seems like they want to start with the same high tempo this evening.

  • 3'

    Friedrich almost sells Lehmann short with a back-pass, but the goalkeeper manages to clear seconds before Toni reaches the ball.

  • 2'

    There is a tremendous atmosphere inside the stadium, and it is a ground that the host nation love. Germany have won 13 of 14 matches in Dortmund's gigantic Signal Iduna Park stadium, boasting a remarkable goal difference of 59-7. Its usual 82,500 capacity drops to 67,000 for all-seated internationals, but every one of those seats has a bum on it this evening.

  • 1'

    Luca Toni again operates as a lone striker for Italy, with playmaker Francesco Totti playing behind him in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

  •  

    Germany kick off in Dortmund.

  •  

    Now for the National Anthems; both are sung with admirable gusto by two sets of very proud fans and players.

  •  

    The players are lined up outside the changing rooms, awaiting the signal to start the short walk down the tunnel and in to the light...

  •  

    Hello, welcome to our coverage of the first semi-final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. I'm Alex, the match is Germany against Italy, from Dortmund.

COMPLETE TEAM CLOSE X
Goal Shot Video
  •  

  • Shots (on goal)

  • tackles

  • Fouls

  • possession

  • Germany

  • 18(6)

  • -

  • 19

  • 42%

    58%

  • Italy

  • 18(11)

  • -

  • 19

Germany

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Jens Lehmann

D

 3 Arne Friedrich

D

 16 Philip Lahm

D

 17 Per Mertesacker

D

 21 Christoph Metzelder

M

 5 Sebastian Kehl

M

 13 Michael Ballack

M

 18 Tim Borowski
M		 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger

M

 19 Bernd Schneider
M		 22 David Odonkor

F

 11 Miroslav Klose
F		 10 Oliver Neuville

F

 20 Lukas Podolski
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
G 12 Oliver Kahn
G 23 Timo Hildebrand
D 2 Marcell Jansen
D 4 Robert Huth
D 6 Jens Nowotny
M 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger
M 15 Thomas Hitzlsperger
M 22 David Odonkor
F 9 Mike Hanke
F 10 Oliver Neuville
F 14 Gerald Asamoah

Italy

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Gianluigi Buffon

D

 3 Fabio Grosso

D

 5 Fabio Cannavaro

D

 19 Gianluca Zambrotta

D

 23 Marco Materazzi

M

 8 Gennaro Gattuso

M

 10 Francesco Totti

M

 16 Mauro Camoranesi
F		 15 Vincenzo Iaquinta

M

 20 Simone Perrotta
F		 7 Alessandro Del Piero

M

 21 Andrea Pirlo

F

 9 Luca Toni
F		 11 Alberto Gilardino
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
G 12 Angelo Peruzzi
G 14 Marco Amelia
D 2 Cristian Zaccardo
D 6 Andrea Barzagli
D 13 Alessandro Nesta
D 22 Massimo Oddo
M 17 Simone Barone
F 7 Alessandro Del Piero
F 11 Alberto Gilardino
F 15 Vincenzo Iaquinta
F 18 Filippo Inzaghi

Match Stats

  • Germany
  • Italy
18(6) Shots (on goal) 18(11)
19 Fouls 19
4 Corner kicks 12
1 Offsides 11
42% Time of Possession 58%
2 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
10 Saves 3