2^nd. Round 7 March 

Italy Progress in tense Shootout 

Italy 2-2 Belarus[Italy 4-1 on Penalties]:

31,360 fans turned out at Italy’s Futbol Clab stadion in the hope of seeing a good game and the home side make the World Cup Quarter-finals. In the end, they got both and everyone went home satisfied after seeing Italy prevail in an excellent game of football.

Italy  lined up in a 3-3-3-1.They took up a somewhat attacking position on the pitch and focused on  trying to play through balls.Belarus lined up in a 4-4-1-1. They took up a slightly defensive position on the pitch and attempted to carry out a shortpassing style.Italy started better with 2 good early chances. Only 3 minutes in, a E.Guintoli free kick was met by G. Mazipov who somehow put the ball wide. 10 minutes later, a long pass upfield gave O.Scarafia a chance, but A. Iyubchenko got down to make a good save. Belarus soon had some chances of their own with F. Samsurov and V.  Vintsukovski coming close after 15 and 21 minutes respectively. But, in the 29^th.  minute, they actually put themselves in front to the shock of the Italian faithful. A few quick, short passes gave F. Samsurov a good opportunity and a wonderful strike gave J. Crescenzi no chance of preventing the goal.Italy were stunned and Belarus didn’t allowed them any opportunity to react as they doubled their lead 8 minutes later. S. Satine worked hard on the wing to get a good cross in to the box. There the ball was met by the head of F. Samsurov who steered the ball into the net. Italy looked doomed but it took them only 3 minutes to hit back. A long ball forward gave E. Bronzin the time and space to power a header at goal from the edge of the box. The keeper, A. Iyubchenko, was powerless to prevent the ball reaching the back of the net for 2-1.Italy were back in the game and a minute later they were handed another boost.  

O. Scarafia was butchered by a horrific A. Kislyak tackle and the Belarus defender deserved his straight red.Italy came out for the second half buoyed on by their numerical advantage. They soon set about trying to make it count. 1 minute in, E. Giuntoli gave F. Zamparini a superb opportunity only for him to inexplicably miss the target. Meanwhile, Belarus tried to wrap up the game with a goal of their own. Both S. Satine then F.Samsurov were denied by great goalkeeping by J. Crescenzi after 47 and 62 minutes respectively. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Italy at last managed to draw level. O. Scarafia who made his way past A. Rodionov and gave the ball to F. Zamparini hit a header towards the goal which A. Iyubchenko somehow failed to save.After that, both teams sat back and appeared to settle for 2-2. 20 minutes later, the referee blew the full-time whistle and 30 extra minutes were needed.

There were to be very few chances in extra time with the only 2 falling to Belarus in the opening 15 minutes. After 98 minutes, J. Crescenzi saved a fine low strike from V.Vinsukovski who was received the ball via a lovely chip by A. Bolkonsky. The last chance of the game in the 103^rd. minute. A quick counter-attack allowed V. Stolin to cross the ball and S. Satine almost scored with a header only to be denied by J. Crescenzi. Neither team created anything more thereafter and so penalties were required.Penalties:There was a lot of tension around the ground as both sides began to take their 5 penalty shots to decide the tie. Belarus won the toss and opted to shoot first.Their first penalty taker, F. Samsurov made it 1-0 with a brilliant shot but C. De Bernardi levelled for Italy. V. Vintsukovski stepped up to take the next and his effort went horribly wide to hand Italy the advantage. Italy, though threw their advantage away with L. Sorvillo putting the ball away over. Belarus again handed Italy the initiative as V. Stolin struck the ball inches wide. This time Italy availed of their opportunity when F. Zamparini went up and and curled it in off the left post for 2-1.The pressure was all on Belarus now and so A. Bolkonsky put his penalty wide of the right post. This allowed Italy the chance to win it with their next shot. O. Scarafia stepped and sent the ball hard and low to the net to seal the win. Still, though they were obliged to take their remaining penalties. Belarus again missed when J. Crescenzi saved S.Satine’s shot while Italy put the icing on the cake as D. Bigi coolly put his in the net.The referee blew his final whistle and Italy had made the last 8 to the delight of the home fans.