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	World Cup Group G – 13/6/02
	Italy 1-1 Mexico
	Borgetti 34, Del Piero 85
	Oita (Japan)

Italy have sneaked through to the Second Round of the World Cup despite only drawing with Mexico. A goal from Alessandro Del Piero spared Italy’s blushes with an 83rd minute equaliser. Italy knew that a victory would secure qualification and Coach Giovanni Trapattoni fielded a trident attack consisting of Vieri, Inzaghi and Totti. But it was central defender Nesta that had the first effort but his wild shot flew over the bar. Inzaghi was the first to test the Mexican ‘keeper after eight minutes before he did have the ball in the back of the net five minutes later but it was ruled offside – despite the fact that TV evidence shows he was onside. On 19 minutes Totti had the best effort of the first half. He latched on to an Inzaghi through ball but the Roman curled the ball past the far post. It was Christian Vieri’s turn to test the ‘keeper on 22 minutes with a volley before a Totti 25-yard free-kick went inches wide of the post. Then against the run of play Mexico rounded off a 15 pass move with a goal. Blanco flighted the ball into the box and Borgetti – played onside by Maldini – back headed it into the net with Buffon stranded. Last chance of the first half fell to Zambrotta but despite being in a favourable position, he saw his shot go well wide of the target. Milan striker Inzaghi had an opportunity on 50 minutes but he tried to go around the ‘keeper who got a hand on it. But it was Mexico who threatened three times in a 10 minutes spell as Arellano, Morales and Rodriguez worried Buffon. On 63 minutes Italy had the ball in the back of the net again through Montella but his lob was chalked off for another dubious offside decision. On 72 minutes it was Vieri who was next to waste a golden opportunity. He ran on to a through ball by Totti but his weak effort was palmed away for a corner by Perez. But the Italians finally made the breakthrough on 85 minutes. A cross from Montella saw Del Piero sneak in at the far post and he headed in to make it 1-1. Italy could have in fact lost 1-0 and still qualified due to Ecuador’s surprise 1-0 win over Croatia.

Italy: Buffon; Panucci (Coco 63), Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini; Zambrotta, Tommasi, Zanetti; Totti (Del Piero 78); Inzaghi (Montella 56), Vieri Mexico: Perez; Vidrio, Marquez, Carmona; Morales (Caballero 75), Torrado, Rodriguez (Garcia 75), Luna, Arellano; Borgetti (Palencia 80), Blanco Ref: Simon (Brazil)

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