The 2006 World Cup in Germany
A booksmusicfilmstv.com surreal take on the footie fest in Germany
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Redemption for Francesco Totti after nightmares at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championships. With this game looking certain to go into extra time, a rampaging run by Italy's Fabio Grosso into Australia's penalty area, ended with Lucas Neill being maybe harshly adjudged to have fouled him. A debatable penalty left substitute Totti (on for a man also haunted by major finals, Alessandro Del Piero) with the last kick of the game. The cameras zoomed into Totti's steely eyes, looking like a gunslinger out of a spaghetti western. It seemed there would be an inevitable conclusion. Totti blasted the spot kick wide of 'keeper Mark Schwarzer, into the top left hand corner of the net. The Socceroos were out, and 10 man Italy were through to the quarter finals in their usual dramatic fashion.

Italy had the game's first real chance, when Luca Toni headed a good Del Piero cross just wide. Toni also fired in a shot which was well saved by Schwarzer's legs. Australia's best chance came when Scott Chipperfield was left in the clear from a free kick, but he shot straight at Gianluigi Buffon. Toni then headed wide from a good position.

Toni wasted another opportunity, when he blasted over early in the second half, again when well placed. Those misses looked as if they might prove to be costly, when Italian defender Marco Materazzi was harshly given a straight red card, for a foul on Marco Bresciano. In an otherwise uneventful second half, until the penalty, Tim Cahill just headed over from a corner for Australia. Then hesitation in the Australian defence gave a chance for sub Vincenzo Iaquinta, but he shot straight at Schwarzer from close range. Strangely, Guus Hiddink did not send on any subs for Australia, as they struggled to really capitalise on having a man advantage. Though they've had a good tournament, Australia missed a chance to have really made a name for themselves. Italy haven't hit top gear, but they are over 20 games undefeated, and, with creativity and verve allied to their usual solid defence, there are signs that they won't be too far off winning this World Cup.

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.