Italy 2 Austria 1

June 23, 1998
Wldcup.com

Italy were too powerful for Austria in a scrappy and negative game.

Austria needed to win the game but their start suggested the usual defensive accent to their play and the first half saw them create only one notable chance when Toni Polster missed a shot from in front of goal after Vastic had pulled the ball back to him.

Italy were always going to be solid and dependable in defence and reponded to the greater possession of the needy Austrian side with only a single chance themselves when Moriero flashed a volley wide at full stretch in the 27th minute. The presence from the start of Alessandro Del Piero for the first time in the tournament did little to inspire them amongst some fierce tackling from both sides.

Italy edged into the lead four minutes into the second half. Del Piero curled a freekick from wide on the left into the penalty area and Vieri scored his fourth goal of the competition by reaching the ball with his head before Michael Konsel could catch it. In the 66th minute an acrobatic attempt from Wetl forced a point blank save at close range by Pagliuca when the left sided midfielder met a header from Pfeifenberger with a swival and an overhead strike. Roberto Baggio emerged from the bench for Del Piero and put the game beyond doubt. He combined with Moriero to send a deft flick into the path of fellow substitute Inzaghi to cross from the right for Baggio to pass the ball into the net on 89 minutes.

Italy needed the second goal cushion as Austria won a penalty when Reinmayer was tripped by a lunge from Costacurta as he ran in on goal in the final minute of normal time. Herzog converted but it was too little and too late.
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