Del Piero books Italy's ticket to World Cup Finals

October 6, 2001
AFP

PARMA, Italy - A freekick on the stroke of half-time by Alessandro Del Piero earned Italy a 1-0 victory over Hungary here Saturday, ensuring Giovanni Trapattoni's side win European Zone Group Eight and qualify automatically for next year's World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea.

It was not a vintage performance but there was no disputing the class of Del Piero's curled freekick that earns Italy a crack at what would be a fourth world title next year.

"We're at the World Cup," bellowed Trapattoni into the microphones of RAI TV seconds after the final whistle. "The boys deserved it, we were the best team in the group and I think we have a good group of players. We can do well next year."

Italy were first into their stride and first Filippo Inzaghi forced a save from Gabor Kiraly and then Alessandro Del Piero had a shot blocked.

At the other end defender Lazslo Bodnar tried his luck from distance but his shot just drifted over Gianluigi Buffon's bar.

And Italian hearts skipped a beat when Attila Tokoli got on the wrong side of marker Marco Materazzi, who clearly tugged the Magyar's shirt in the penalty area although Paraguayan referee Gonzalez Chavez chose not to intervene.

Juventus striker Del Piero twice went close, the first from a header after a fine cross by Francesco Totti.

AS Roma skipper Totti then set up the best chance yet when he flighted a long ball forward towards Inzaghi. The AC Milan striker controlled the ball perfectly with his chest and shot across Kiraly but the goalkeeper denied him, sticking out a foot to deflect the ball away.

Hungary playmaker Vasile Miriuta, recalled by new coach Imre Gellei, was at the thick of the action but was soon booked.

Totti forced another save from Kiraly while Del Piero's wayward shooting continued with two more efforts missing the target.

Half-time loomed and supporters showed their discontent by shouting the name of Brescia striker Roberto Baggio, who was not selected for this match. But just as it was beginning to look ominous for Italy they got a break.

Del Piero was fouled by Bodnar and the referee awarded a freekick. The Juventus striker picked himself up and curled a fine shot over the wall and inside Kiraly's right-hand post.

Italy midfielder Damiano Tommasi was booked at the end of the first period but immediately after the restart Italy nearly killed the game.

Another fine pass from Totti played in Inzaghi but the striker delayed his shot and Janos Matyus got in a timely tackle.

Totti tried his own luck but forced a fine save from Kiraly as the 'Azzurri' looked to kill the match.

Kristian Lisztes entered as Gellei's first substitute in place of Miriuta and soon got booked while

Trapattoni replaced goal hero Del Piero with Gennaro Gattuso in a clearly defensive move.

Another move instigated by Totti saw Inzaghi force a save from Kiraly but a party atmosphere was beginning to take hold at the Stadio Ennio Tardini with Mexican waves signalling Italy's confidence that qualification was in the bag.

Hungary brought on Istvan Ferenczi for Petr Kabat but Tommasi's cross was almost turned into his own net by Vilmos Sebok.

Trapattoni produced another change, bringing on Luigi di Biagio for Demetrio Albertini.

Pal Dardai's deflected shot force a rare save from Buffon but the Magyars were looking a spent force and Gianluca Zambrotti forced another save from the impressive Kiraly.

Dardai again tried his luck from 40 metres with the chip but it was just too high as Buffon watched it sail over the bar.

Gellei made his last change, bringing on Gabor Egressi for Tokoli and finally Hungary created a real chance when Ferenczi burst through but he shot high and wide.

Fiorentina's Angelo Di Livio replaced Zambrotta in the last change of the match but the celebrations were already underway and Italy were not to be denied.
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