3-5-2 FOOTBALL

Champions Italy crashed out of the World Cup as first-time qualifiers Slovakia booked a surprising place in the second round after an epic game at Ellis Park. Robert Vittek's brace put Slovakia in control but Antonio Di Natale halved the deficit and Fabio Quagliarella looked like he had levelled it at 2-2, but an offside decision went against him. Italy pulled one back with nine minutes to go after a clever one-two with Iaquinta played Quagliarella in and when Mucha parried his shot, Di Natale was on hand to prod the ball in. Substitute Kamil Kopunek made it 3-1 to Slovakia before Quagliarella's brilliant lob gave Italy fleeting hope, but they could not find a third to save their skins as they joined fellow 2006 finalists France in sinking out of the tournament at the first hurdle. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP       3-5-2 FOOTBALL    NOBLESTAR Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and manager Marcello Lippi have both conceded that they do not want their World Cup Group F game against Slovakia to be their last. The 2006 champions have not started impressively, drawing their opening two games 1-1 with Paraguay and New Zealand to put what looked to be a simple task of making the last 16 of the tournament in serious doubt. Both Cannavaro and Lippi are set to end their Azzurri careers after the tournament, with the 36-year-old centre back set to retire from international football and the veteran boss to leave his post as manager. Both were key components of Italy's victory in the previous finals, but have suffered since with an ageing squad and a lack of world-class talent coming through the ranks in Italian football. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP      SOCCERTALKS CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk is prepared to make a late decision on the fitness of star man Arjen Robben ahead of Thursday's meeting with Cameroon. The Bayern Munich winger has not played at this summer's World Cup due to a lingering hamstring injury and he was a late arrival in South Africa after undergoing rehabilitation. Robben trained on Wednesday night and he feels confident about his fitness, but Van Marwijkwill only use that session as a measure of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid player before deciding on his team to face Cameroon. With Holland already guaranteed a place in the last 16 before their match against a team who cannot progress from the group stages, the game in Cape Town could be a good opportunity for Robben to make his return. However, Van Marwijk is not prepared to gamble as he bids to wrap up top spot in Group E. Van Marwijk revealed Rafael van der Vaart and Eljero Elia will be available after slight neck and foot injuries respectively.   3-5-2

Australia beat Serbia 2-1 to seal both teams' exit from the World Cup. The Socceroos looked like they might cause an upset after going ahead, but Serbia's Marko Pantelic hit back to see them miss out by a single goal. Ultimately Serbia paid for their earlier profligacy as second-half goals from Tim Cahill and Brett Holman sent them crashing out. Australia's effort dragged them off the bottom of the group but it was too little too late as Ghana edged them out of the second round on goal difference. It was a face-saving win for Australia that seemed barely likely in the first half as they struggled to cope with Serbia's pace and technical excellence. The Serbs were dominant in possession in the first-half and looked comfortable. But the White Eagles made a slow start after the break and lost their way. Zoran Tosic's introduction as sub in the 62nd minute got them back on course, but it was too little, too late. Australia struggled to get into the match as they opte

A terrific strike from Mesut Ozil gave Germany a 1-0 win over Ghana and put them into top spot in Group D, where they will face England in the second round. The result also puts Ghana through, as Serbia failed to win. The win for Joachim Low's side took them to the top of Group D and means they will face England in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon, while Ghana ensured African representation in the knockout phase by edging out Australia on goal difference. The Black Stars will now take on the United States in Rustenburg. The German contingent were jeering any touch for Berlin-born Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose tackle on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final last month ruled the Germany star out of the World Cup. A good performance by the Germans, but there are worries at the back for Die Mannschaft, who were torn apart by Ghana early on. However, Joachim Low's side plugged away and deserved their win after showing much more guile than their opponents in the final third.     WO

England produced a vastly improved performance to beat Slovenia 1-0 and progress to the last 16 as Group C runners-up. The Three Lions needed to win after being held to disappointing draws by USA and Algeria in their opening two World Cup games, and responded with a dynamic display full of urgency and slick passing. Two of the players brought into the side by Fabio Capello combined for the crucial goal on 22 minutes as James Milner delivered a superb cross from the right wing and Jermain Defoe provided the finishing touch. England continued to dominate possession and carved out a number of good opportunities to double their advantage, with Samir Handanovic repelling Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney with athletic saves, and Defoe also flicking an effort wide. Slovenia did carry a threat on the counter-attack and anxiety would have been spreading among England supporters as their team failed to take a more comfortable lead. However, England stayed solid in defence and held on to the fi

The United States have reached the World Cup knock-out stages after a last-gasp win over 10-men Algeria. Landon Donovan was the hero for USA as he smashed home from close range in stoppage time in an entertaining contest at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Bob Bradley's side top Group C on goals scored after England's 1-0 win over Slovenia meant the Three Lions finished second. Both teams approached their final group clash going for the win and Algeria, searching for their first goal in the tournament, went agonisingly close to breaking their duck when Rafik Djebbour struck the bar in the 6th minute after defender Jay DeMerit failed to clear a long-ball. USA forward Clint Dempsey was at the heart of the best of the American attacks - the Fulham man had a goal disallowed for offside in the 21st minute after being fed by Herculez Gomez, who had just had a shot parried by Algeria goalkeeper Rais Bolhi. If anyone was going to snatch three points it looked like it was going to be the