Italy beat Australia 1-0 with a last minute penalty in the second round of the World Cup 2006 on 26 June 2006 in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Italy's team was: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Grosso, Perrotta, Del Pierro (Totti 75), Gattuso, Pirlo, Gilardino (Iaquinta 46), Toni (Barzagli 56)

Australia's line up was: Schwarzer, Chipperfield, Neill, Moore, Culina, Wilkshire, Cahill, Grella, Bresciano, Sterjovski (Aloisi 81), Viduka

                                               
Australia qualified for the second round after a late comeback to beat Japan 3-1 before losing to World Champions Brazil 2-0. They then got the 2-2 draw they needed against Croatia to qualify second in Group F behind Brazil. One of Australia's best players Harry Kewell had to miss this match however as he was suffering from gout.

Italy beat Ghana 2-0, drew with the USA 1-1 and then beat the Czech Republic 2-0 to top group E and face Australia in the second round. However, Italy's good play on the field in this World Cup had been somewhat overshadowed by the match fixing allegations in Italy's top league, Serie A (where some teams have been accused of selecting favourable referees).
 

This was a very close game with Italy rarely able to show its class against a determined Australian team. Australia had the majority of possession in the match but the Italian defence and goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon played well and Italy had the better opportunities to score.

Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardinho had chances in the first half to give Italy the lead but Mark Schwarzer was back in goal for Australia and made a couple of good saves.

Four minutes into the second half Marco Materazzi was sent off for a foul on Marco Bresciano when he was adjudged to have been the last defender between Bresciano and the goal. Italy then appeared to lose momentum and defended for long periods after that. Tim Cahill almost won the game with a header late on but it was not to be Australia's day.

Fabio Grosso earned a last minute penalty for Italy when he went into the left corner of the penalty area and Lucas Neill slid down in front of him - Grosso went forward and tumbled over him and the referee gave Italy the penalty which substitute Francesco Totti converted.
 

"I don't think there was any doubt that was not a penalty" said Australia's manager Guus Hiddink after the match but it was Italy was have reached the quarter finals.

Italy have reached the final of the World Cup every 12 years since 1970 (1970 - lost to Brazil, 1982 - won, 1994 - lost to Brazil) and so they may be destined to get to the final again in 2006.

See all the fixtures and results on the World Cup screenchart