Italy were eliminated from the World Cup as they lost 2-0 to hosts Brazil. The home side in green and gold started the game much more aggressively and the Italians simply couldn’t deal with the pressure, conceding after just six minutes from Patryk’s goal before Peglow killed off the game with a second in the 40th minute. There was a marked response from Nunziata’s team, but they failed to convert their chances and the fatigue shown at the end of the game proved that it was simply not meant to be for the Azzurrini.

Nunziata stuck with his starting eleven from the round of 16 game against Ecuador, while Brazil were without the injured Talles Magno and the suspended Diego. The team in green and gold began strongly, causing Italy’s defence problems from the off. Pedro Lucas and Kaio Jorge posed the biggest threats, and it was the former who played in Patryk down the left in the 6th minute, who duly smashed it past Molla into the top corner of the near post. Having taken the lead, Brazil continued to push for a second. Italy reacted well and chances fell to Dalle Mura and then Gnonto, but neither could beat Donelli. It was after these missed chances that Brazil’s second came: Peglow was set free by the rampant Pedro Lucas inside the area, and he made no mistake in placing his shot past Molla and into the Italian net.

Brazil dropped back in the second half and Italy went close to cutting the deficit on two occasions: first with Ruggeri’s drilled cross into the middle as Cudrig fired off target, and then through Gnonto as he nicked the ball off Patrik but just couldn’t get it past Donelli. Nunziata looked to add some energy with his substitutions, but legs were heavy and after five minutes of added time, the whistle blew for a Brazil victory. The hosts now go on to face France in the semi-finals after the Blues’ 6-1 win over Spain.

Despite the great disappointment in the dressing room, the Azzurrini Coach didn’t hesitate to praise his boys: “It’s been a wonderful year: second place in the Euros and amongst the top eight teams in the world. You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved and I’ll never stop thanking you for the sacrifice and determination that you’ve all shown.” Nunziata concluded: “This is only the beginning, if you always maintain this level of enthusiasm then you’ve all got bright futures ahead of you.”

Italy 0-2 Brazil

Scorers: 6’ Patryk; 40’ Peglow

Italy (4-3-2-1): Molla, Lamanna (72’ Barbieri), Dalle Mura, Pirola, Ruggeri; Brentan (62’ Oristanio), Panada (C), Udogie; Gnonto, Tongya, Cudrig (80’ Capone). Coach: Nunziata. Substitutes: Rinaldi (GK), Gasparini (GK), Arlotti, Boscolo, Giovane, Moretti, Riccio.

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Donelli, Couto, Henri (C), Patrick, Patryk; Costa, Cabral; Veron, Lucas (74’ Sandry), Peglow (82’ Garcia); Kaio Jorge. Coach: Dalla Dea. Substitutes: Pitaluga (GK), Cristian (GK), Noga, Renan, Araujo, Lazaro.

Referee: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)

Notes: Pirola booked

Quarter-final results:

Sunday 10 November

Netherlands 4-1 Paraguay; South Korea 0-1 Mexico;

Monday 11 November

Spain 1-6 France; Italy 0-2 Brazil

Semi-finals:

Thursday 14 November

Mexico vs. Netherlands (20:30 CET)

France vs. Brazil (24:00 CET)