Nice game... Deserved result... Italy pressured far more and much better than the Aussies up to the red card (Which was unjust.) Especially in the first half when Italy looked like they were going to break through perhaps if it wasn't for a few nice saves by Schwarzer (Spelling?) Aust had a few chances here and there but nothing that rattled Buffon. It should have been 2-0 Italy at the break, but it wasn't.
Second half started a bit slower but seemed as if it was heading down the same path as the first half until Materazzi was sent off... Yellow card? YES. Foul? YES. Red card? Absolutely not! It wasn't like Materazzi was really clumsy all games with his fouls and the ref never even had a talk with him. A straight red for that? Definitely harsh but more importantly it changed the entire shape of the game. First off Italy had to take off Toni who owned Aust and seemed like he was about to put one in. Then you have to play much more defensively and counter attack during a few smart occassions = really hurts your chance at getting a goal.
Aust, up one man then began to take over and dominated much of the half but really never took advantage of the one man advantage and that's partially because of the Italian defense which was brilliant as they usually are. They did have some very good opps that were just missed, for example Cahill's header off the corner was close. Breasciano also had some good strikes outside the 18.
The Totti sub was obviously coming and anyone with a brain knew it... I was hoping it would have come a bit sooner because of Del Pierro's lack of good play after the first ten minutes of the game.
The penalty shot was just... I am sure many fans believe it wasn't (Especially the Aussie fans.) Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a harsh foul but it was a foul that enabled Grosso the opportunity illegally to get a good shot on net, which he would of had.
Most of the Italian team played well with a few exceptions. Gilardino didn't do much other then a few shots here and there early in the first half. Del Pierro never really had control of the mid area which is his job at the top of the triangle offense. With that said, I would still start him in the quarters and bring on Totti earlier in the second half. Pirlo didn't have a horrible game but he could of made some better decisions with the ball and some set pieces.
Gattuso was an animal, LOVE IT! Zambrotta played very hard and well.. I loved Buffon taking charge of the D when Italy went down a guy, definitely acted like a second captain. Toni was very dangerous out there rushing back to the 50 yard line just to get a touch on the ball. He was unfortunate to not get a goal (Nice saves Shwarzer.) Materazzi, IMO owned Viduka and then was sent off unfairly. Again, a yellow would have done justice in that situation. Too many refs this WC are throwing around the red like it's a piece of cake! Finally, Totti comes clutch in an extremely difficult sitaution. If they would have went into OT, I think Aust would have won.
The classic 4th of July semifinal match is coming like I stated a while back... I know not to jump the gun, but sometimes the excitement you just can't hold back.