SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 8 hrs 5 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IN
World Cup | Qualifiers
Sep 10, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
CR

2-1

Chiellini (52'), Balotelli (56' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kozak (19')
Kolar (89')

Italy qualify for World Cup

:Headline: Result: Italy qualify for World Cup: ID:104099: from db_amp
Mario Balotelli scores the winning goal as Italy beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals.

Italy have qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals with a narrow 2-1 victory over 10-man Czech Republic in Turin.

The victory at the Juventus Stadium means that the Azzurri have finished top of Group B with 20 points from eight games, with two more rounds of matches still to come.

The hosts had the first chance of the match when Mario Balotelli tested Petr Cech in the Italy goal, before Christian Maggio headed wide from the a corner.

The Italians continues to test the Czech defence but it was the visitors who surged ahead in the 19th minute through Libor Kozak, who volleyed home Petr Jiracek's pass at full stretch.

Balotelli was unlucky not to restore parity for the Azzurri five minutes later when his powerful shot from inside the area smashed against the crossbar.

Moments later the AC Milan striker was guilty of missing a sitter when he ballooned a loose ball over the bar from just yards out.

Cesare Prandelli's side pushed forward in search of an equaliser and could have got it six minutes from half time had Balotelli's header from point-blank range not been turned away by Cech.

Antonio Candreva tested Cech from 20 yards on the stroke of half time, before Kozak squandered a chance from a counter-attack for the Czechs.

Italy started the second half on a positive note and restored parity in the 52nd minute when Giorgio Chiellini nodded home at the far post after Cech had failed to keep out an Andrea Pirlo corner.

Four minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty when Theodor Gebre Selassie brought down Balotelli inside the Czech penalty area.

The former Manchester City forward picked himself up and made no mistake in making it 2-1 to Italy from the spot.

The Czechs ended with 10 men on the pitch as Daniel Kolar was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 89th minute.

amp_article__104099 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-09-11 12:45:32:
html db last update - 2013-09-11 12:45:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .