The No. 1 Unofficial World Cup Website
GROUP G REVIEW
MEXICO 1-1 ITALY
Substitute Alessandro Del Piero booked Italy's place in the last-16 after an enthralling clash with eventual group winners Mexico.
With Ecuador suprisingly beating Italy's chief rivals Croatia, it meant that even the 1-0 defeat would have been enough to send Italy through. But Juventus striker Del Piero decided to make sure, converting Vincenzo Montella's ball into the box with just 6 minutes remaining.
A pulsating first period contained just one goal - scored by Mexican striker Jared Borghetti. Cuautemhoc Blanco chipped over a glorious ball to the far post, and Borghetti wrong-footed the world's most expensive goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, with a deft back-header.
But at half-time, Croatia's 0-0 scoreline with Ecuador would have seen them advance to the last 16 instead. It meant that Italy needed to score after the break to have any chance of sneaking into the second round, but Ecuador's shock 1-0 win eased their passage.
After a bright start, things seemed to go against Italy as they sought the opening goal. Filippo Inzaghi scored but was given offside in a borderline decision, and Francesco Totti missed a golden opportunity when he shot wide of the far post. In two world-class examples of refereeing, Totti and Christian Panucci were booked for diving.
With Mexico defending resolutely and attacking with verve down the flanks through wing-backs Morales and Arellano, the Central Americans deserved their lead.
But the substitution of Francesco Totti, 15 minutes from time, held the key to Italy's revival. The Roma playmaker was wasteful in posession and hopeless in front of goal, so the introduction of Alessandro Del Piero's was sure to lift things.
When fellow sub Montella hooked the ball into the box, Del Piero timed his run to perfection and glanced into the far corner.
It meant Italy were going through even if Croatia equalised against Ecuador - and the relief was tangible. Although the draw looks kind, the Italians will need to improve beyond all recognition if they are to cement their status as second-favourites.
ECUADOR 1-0 CROATIA
FRANCE '98 semi-finalists Croatia were dumped out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup at the first hurdle, after a shock 1-0 defeat by Ecuador, who had never before won a match in the Finals.
The decisive strike came from Edison Mendez shortly after half-time, when the Deportivo Quito midfielder rifled home a half-volley that Stipe Pletikosa got a hand to, but couldn't prevent from going in.
With Italy stumbling to a late draw with Mexico, a win for Croatia over the World Cup debutants would have sent them through, but the Balkan side produced a sluggish performance just when it really mattered and only had themselves to blame.
Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic threatened early on - scraping the outside of the post, and having a chip headed off the line by Augusto Poroso in the first half. But playing as Croatia's only recognised striker, the Middlesbrough striker struggled in the humid conditions as the game wore on, and didn't come as close again.
Alex Aguinaga headed a Milan Rapaic corner off his own line in the final minute - but it was a case of too little, too late as Croatia now start packing their bags.
MEXICO 2-1 ECUADOR
MEXICO secured their place in the second round of the World Cup with a great victory over World Cup debutants Ecuador.
Ecuador took the lead after just four minutes. Southampton’s want-away striker Austin Delgado headed past Oscar Perez in the Mexican goal, after Ulises De La Cruz had whipped in a delightful cross from the right.
Once they'd taking the lead Ecuador seemed content on sitting back and letting the Mexicans come to them.
But Mexico equalised 20 minutes later, when left wing-back Ramon Morales delivered a ball into the far post, where Jared Borgetti was waiting to volley past Jose Cevallos in the Ecuador goal.
Borgetti was involved in Mexico’s second when Gerrado Torrado fired them ahead 10 minutes after the restart. The Mexican played a lovely one-two with Borgetti and launched a 20-yard strike past Cevallos.
Ecuador suddenly came to life again and mounted a late rally, but there was little they could do to break down the Mexican defence.
ITALY 1-2 CROATIA
CROATIA stunned Italy on Saturday evening with two goals in three minutes to give them a memorable victory and really kick-off their World Cup.
After a dire first-half, both teams came to life in the second.
The Italians – who had an earlier Christian Vieri goal disallowed for offside – finally took the lead on 55.
But it was the Inter Milan striker, Vieri, causing more problems in the Croatian penalty area. A Cristiano Doni cross, found Vieri in the penalty area and he was on hand to head home from close range - his third of the tournament.
Croatia came to life after the Italians had scored, and sent wave after wave of attack crashing in on Gianluigi Buffon’s goal.
They finally equalised 73 minutes into the game. Some uncharacteristic sloppy defending in the Italian penalty area let Ivica Olic in to finish from close-range.
Just three minutes later Croatia - Milan Rapaic in particular - took advantage of more awful Italian defending. The Fenerbahce midfielder hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the corner of Buffon’s goal.
Italy searched for the equaliser and were furious when substitute Fillipo Inzaghi had a last-minute equaliser ruled out for shirt pulling.