Italy strike twice to end Austrian resistance

June 23, 1998
Soccernet

PARIS -- Italy clinched a place in the last 16 on Tuesday after goals from Christian Vieri, his fourth of the World Cup, and substitute Roberto Baggio gave them a 2-1 win over Austria.

A 49th minute header from Vieri -- now equal top scorer with Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta -- and a last-minute tap-in from Baggio ensured the Italians top place in group B and a rendez-vous with the runners-up from group A on Saturday.

For the third straight match Austria scored in injury time but Andy Herzog's penalty, officially timed at 91 minutes, was too late to save them from defeat and elimination. Chile, who drew 1-1 with Cameroon, qualified as runners-up in group B.

"The result was amply deserved, even though we made a lot of chances and did not take them," Italian coach Cesare Maldini said.

"I am pleased with the way we played and over the three matches we deserve to qualify for the next round." Italy have qualified for the second round in every finals since 1974.

Austria tried to snuff out the Italian frontline with some fearsome tackling, especially in the first half, but Italy always looked the more inventive and technically superior team.

Austrian coach Herbert Prohaska said: "The Italians played intelligently and they waited for their moment to strike. They took their chances well."

Apart from one or two flashes of class from Ivica Vastic and Dietmar Kuhbauer, Austria appeared content just to disrupt the flow of the Italians. But they were punished by two piercing thrusts through the heart of their defence.

The first goal came after 49 minutes following a foul on Alessandro Del Piero by Peter Schoettel, who was lucky to stay on the pitch after being booked in the last minute of the first half for clattering Vieri.

Del Piero took the free kick himself and the bustling Atletico Madrid striker slipped his marker to head the ball past Michael Konsel. The goal maintained his record of scoring in every match.

Austria, forced to start concentrating on their own game, began to put Italy under some pressure, and were only denied an equaliser by an outstanding 66th minute double-save from Gianluca Pagliuca from Heimo Pfeifenbeger.

Austria had saved themselves from defeat in their opening two matches by scoring injury-time equalisers and with Italy missing a succession of chances in the second half, Austria always appeared in with a chance of saving the game.

But it was Italy who netted again. Filippo Inzaghi -- who came on for Vieri after an hour -- broke free on the right hand side of the defence and feinted to create space for himself.

Instead he played a perfect square ball across the goal, leaving Baggio the simplest of tap-ins from a metre out. Baggio had replaced Del Piero in the 73rd minute.

To their credit, Austria continued to press forward and gained a consolation goal at the death when Herzog blasted home an injury-time penalty after Alessandro Costacurta had sent Hannes Reinmayer tumbling in the box.

The victory maintained Italy's record of not having lost to Austria in 12 matches since 1960 -- and also of beating them in every World Cup match they have played.

But the Italians had some worrying news after the game when it was revealed that defender Alessandro Nesta twisted ligaments in his right leg, after being taken off in the fourth minute, and will miss the rest of the competition.
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