Italy – United States

1. Hello again. I'm Alex, I'm here to guide you through Team USA's big clash against Italy. I'm excited. Are you?

2. Here we go. USA kick off on a very pleasant evening.

3. 1'

   History and form favours the Italians, but football is a crazy, crazy game - anything can happen.

4. 2'

   GOOD CROSS! Toni climbs high to try and get on the end of Totti's cross, but he can only glance his header well wide.

5. 3'

   Ghana's win earlier in the day has really thrown this group wide open; a good result here and USA have a great chance of progressing.

6. 3'

   Pirlo will play an important role tonight, sitting in midfield and spraying passes around for his team-mates.

7. 4'

   There is a fabulous atmosphere inside the ground; the fans have mingled well, and are really enjoying this beautiful summer evening.

8. 5'

   Totti is booked for a challenge from behind in midfield; a harsh decision from the referee, perhaps. USA quickly get on with the game.

9. 6'

   USA seem to want to play at a high tempo, to really get some pressure on Italy; they'll have to be careful not to be hit on the break.

10. 7'

    Donovan appears to be playing a little further up the pitch than he did against the Czechs; he will be looking to feed passes in to McBride, an ever-willing runner.

11. 8'

    Donovan goes down inside the penalty area as he tried to get on the end of Cherundolo's cross from the right; no penalty.

12. 9'

    Carlos Bocanegra is starting tonight; he has come in to replace Lewis at left back. Lewis had a poor game against the Czechs; he looked a little unsure, defensively.

13. 10'

    Dempsey feeds a good low cross in to the middle, but Donovan can't get the ball out of his feet to get his shot away.

14. 11'

    USA are playing with a very high defensive line; already they are pressing up in midfield and trying to catch the Italian strikers offside.

15. 12'

    USA have made the better start in the Fritz-Walter Stadion, Kaiserslautern; they look positive and dynamic - a really good sign.

16. 13'

    GOOD TACKLE! Oguchi Onyewu holds off Toni as the striker strode in to the USA penalty area. Good strong defending from the youngster.

17. 14'

    Italy win a free-kick; Totti stands over the ball as his players jockey for position in the penalty area...

18. 14'

    ...Totti curls the ball in to the middle, but De Rossi is caught off-side. Brave defending from the USA.

19. 15'

    USA win a free-kick in a really threatening position on the edge of the Italy penalty area after Cannavarro's clumsy challenge.

20. 15'

    DEFLECTED! Convey fires in the free-kick, but his effort is deflected off the wall and out for a corner.

21. 16'

    OVER! Dempsey shows some silky skills down the right before firing in a low cross; it finds its way through a crowd to Convey at the back post, but he slashes his shot high over the bar.

22. 17'

    USA have made a really positive start here; Arena's tactical changes have had the right effect.

23. 18'

    RUBBISH! Reyna, who has otherwise made an excellent start, sends a pass out of play as he tries to find Dempsey. Poor play from the skipper.

24. 18'

    JUST WIDE! Dempsey finds some space on the edge of the area; he spins and fires in a low shot, but the ball skips wide of the far post. Good effort.

25. 19'

    Dempsey looks to be a good player; he has given USA a directness and energy down that right-hand side.

26. 20'

    Italy are really struggling to find their feet at the moment; they are losing the midfield battle, without a doubt.

27. 21'

    Eddie Pope hauls down Toni as the two tussled for the ball in the USA half; free-kick Italy.

28. 22'

    Oguchi Onyewu does well to intercept Totti's pass in to the area, intended for Toni/

29. 23'

    GOAL! Pirlo curs a free-kick in to the penalty area; Gilardino loses his marker and glances a low header past Keller.

30. 24'

    There wasn't much Keller could do about that; the USA marking was dreadful; Gilardino had a free header inside the six-yard box.

31. 25'

    Italy lead, but that's not really a fair reflection of the game; USA had made by far the better start.

32. 25'

    The Italian fans are the ones making the most noise at the moment; USA look a little shocked after going behind.

33. 26'

    If USA lose tonight; they can still progress if results go their way in the final group games, although it will certainly be tough for them.

34. 27'

    Bruce Arena doesn't look a very happy bunny on the USA bench; in fact, he looks decidedly grumpy.

35. 28'

    USA win a free-kick, out on the right touchline...

36. 28'

    ...Convey swings the free-kick in to the middle...

37. 28'

    GOAL! And Zaccardo slices the ball in to his own net at the back post!

38. 28'

    It was a dreadful piece of defending from Zaccardo; he wasn't under a lot pressure, but somehow managed to screw the ball past Buffon.

39. 29'

    OFF! De Rossi is sent off for an elbow on McBride. Real drama.

40. 30'

    De Rossi has really let himself down there; it was a malicious elbow that caught McBride square in the face.

41. 31'

    So, Italy are down to ten men, and USA have a real chance to make them pay; there is a lot of time left for the Americans to edge in front.

42. 31'

    Italy will have to reorganise now; Totti seems to have dropped a little deeper in to midfield to support Pirlo.

43. 32'

    McBride is still off the field receiving treatment for the cut to the face he received from De Rossi's elbow.

44. 33'

    Steve Cherundolo's cross from the right is headed behind by Zambrotta. Corner to the USA...

45. 33'

    ...Convey sends the corner in to the middle, but Bocanegra heads over.

46. 34'

    USA have to try and stretch the play as much as possible; try to drag the Italian defence out of position and hope to create chances for McBride and Donovan.

47. 35'

    Pope gets too tight to Toni, and the referee spots a shirt-tug from the USA defender.

48. 36'

    ITALY SUB: Gattuso comes on to replace Totti; the playmaker is sacrificed as Lippi opts to strengthen his midfield after De Rossi's red card.

49. 37'

    Gattuso will add some steel to the Italian midfield; he is a really terrier, a snarling, biting, scrappy little player with a really impressive beard.

50. 38'

    Italy have had a disrupted build-up to this tournament, with all the match-fixing allegations in Serie A; they will now have to cope with a suspension to one of their first-choice midfielders.

51. 39'

    Italy seem to be playing with a 3-4-2 formation since the departure of De Rossi; it is adventurous and bold - can USA capitalise?

52. 40'

    Reyna is in quickly on Gattusso, but the referee spots a foul. The two exchange some friendly banter before play continues.

53. 41'

    Pirlo plays in Zambrotta down the left, but the linesman rules the full-back has got too far ahead of the play and flags for offside.

54. 42'

    USA will never get a better chance to record their first-ever victory against Italy.

55. 43'

    CLOSE! Mastroeni finds himself in space, 30 yards from goal; he opts to shoot, but curls his effort narrowly over the crossbar. Good effort.

56. 44'

    NICE MOVE! Donovan's flick sets Reyna free on the edge of the area, but the captain's shot is deflected and spins out for a corner.

57. 45'

    OFF! Mastroeni is sent off for a reckless lunge in midfield. A harsh decision, I think, but he has to go.

58. 45'

    It was a pretty ugly challenge from Mastroeni, on reflection; he flew in, studs-up on Pirlo, who he caught on the ankle.

59. 46'

    HALF-TIME: Two red cards, two goals. A pretty chaotic first-half, all-in-all. It really could go either way from here.

60. 45'

    Italy kick off the second half.

61. 46'

    So, ten against ten in the second half; that should mean the players have more space and time to create.

62. 47'

    AMAZING! POPE IS SENT OFF! The referee books Pope for the second time for a sliding challenge on Toni. Real drama here.

63. 48'

    Replays do suggest that Pope did catch the Italian striker on the ankle as he slid in; USA down to ninr men.

64. 49'

    Cannavaro receives some treatment after landing awkardly on his ankle. He is stretchered off, and looks in serious pain.

65. 50'

    Arena still looks furious at the Pope sending off; he is prowling around on the sidelines, muttering to himself.

66. 51'

    The USA will have to gamble at the back a little for the remainder of the game; they are playing with just three at the back.

67. 52'

    USA SUBSTITUTION: Convey is replaced by Jim Conrad; a defensive change from Arena as he tries to reorganise after the two sendings off.

68. 53'

    OFF THE BAR! Bocanegra heads a wickedly curling free-kick on to his own crossbar. A close shave for USA.

69. 54'

    USA are going to have a lot of running to do in this second half; tiredness will surely be a factor as the game progresses.

70. 55'

    ITALY SUB: Del Piero replaces Zaccardo; Lippi brings on another striker to try and capitalise on his team's one-man advantage.

71. 56'

    Pirlo is beginning to find a lot of space in midfield, and is picking out some good passes; he could really open up the USA defence with all the time and space he is being given.

72. 57'

    Perrotta breaks in to some space down the right before sending over a good cross, although it is too long for Del Piero and Toni.

73. 58'

    Del Piero releases Zambrotta down the left, but there is no striker to turn in his low cross.

74. 58'

    DISAPPOINTING! Reyna breaks forward through the middle, but he makes a mess of his shot from 20 yards, dragging it well wide of the post.

75. 59'

    USA aren't going to get many more shooting opportunities; they need to do better when they get in the final third.

76. 60'

    USA have a penalty shout when the ball strikes Nesta's arm inside the penalty area, but the referee rules 'play on'.

77. 61'

    OVER! Perrotta fires a shot over the crossbar from a tight angle; good defending from Conrad, who put him under pressure.

78. 62'

    ITALY SUB: Iaquinta comes on to replace Toni; the Udinese striker scored in the previous game against Ghana.

79. 63'

    USA SUB: Dempsey is replaced by Beasley; Dempsey has worked really hard down the right wing.

80. 64'

    GOOD BREAK! Donovan leads a USA break with a dart through the middle; he feeds McBride, but the Fulham striker slices his left-foot shot wide of the near post.

81. 65'

    Italy have certainly been dominant since the break, but they haven't really worked Keller as much as they'd have liked.

82. 66'

    GOAL! NO! Beasley fires a low shot goalwards; it beats Buffon and rolls in inside the back post, but the linesman rules that McBride was stood in an offisde position and interferring with play.

83. 67'

    Perrotta is stretchered from the field after a nasty challenge from Bocanegra. Italy have used all of their substitutes, so if he doesn't make it back, it's nine v nine...

84. 68'

    Perrotta is back on the pitch, but he is hobbling badly and doesn't look at all mobile.

85. 69'

    CLOSE! Zambrotta cuts inside and curls a right-foot shot through a crowd of players; it beats the dive of Keller, but spins wide of the far post.

86. 70'

    Iaquinta seems to be having a positive effect for Italy; he has certainly got the pace to go past tiring defenders as the game goes on.

87. 71'

    Zambrotta is booked for pushing over Steve Cherundolo as they chased down a pass down the right wing.

88. 72'

    GOOD CHANCE! Donovan curls in a free-kick; Bocanegra climbs highest inside the penalty area, but heads off target.

89. 73'

    WONDER SAVE! Keller pulls off a stunning, one-handed save to paw away Del Piero's goal-bound flick.

90. 74'

    Keller has kept his side in the match with that save; it was a really good leap and he managed to palm the ball away to safety.

91. 75'

    USA have a nice spell with the ball around the Italy penalty area, but Reyna and Beasley can't manufacture a shooting chance for McBride.

92. 76'

    It has been a really spirited display by the USA; they are still managing to show a lot of positive intent and look quite solid at the back.

93. 77'

    Pirlo's cross is too deep, a real wasted chance to test Keller again.

94. 78'

    Italy are remaining patient as they search for this winning goal, but they must be getting a little frustrated.

95. 78'

    GOOD PLAY! Steve Cherundolo brilliantly beats his man down the right before sending over a testing cross to the back post, although McBride can't direct his header on target.

96. 79'

    GOOD HANDS! Keller fists away Del Piero's shot from the edge of the penalty area.

97. 80'

    Beasley breaks through the middle, but he loses the ball before spotting the penetrating run of Donovan on his outside.

98. 81'

    I have been really impressed with the USA; despite only having nine men, they have remained organised and committed and look like they could hold on for a valuable point.

99. 82'

    Conrad makes an important challenge on the edge of his own penalty area as Del Piero ran at him.

100. 83'

     USA look very tired now, and it's hardly surprising; there has been some strong, determined performances this evening.

101. 84'

     WHAT A CHANCE! Del Piero feeds a pass in to Iaquinta inside the penalty area, but his control lets him down at the crucial moment.

102. 85'

     Keller is quick to spot the danger when Pirlo tries to pick out Perrotta with a cute through-ball.

103. 86'

     McBride heads clear Del Piero's corner at the near post.

104. 87'

     Oguchi Onyewu makes a crucial interception as Del Piero fires a low cross across the face of goal.

105. 88'

     USA have no men forward at the moment; they have dragged everyone back and are hanging on for dear life.

106. 88'

     Cannavarro fouls McBride as the two jumped at an Italy corner. USA breathe again.

107. 89'

     There isn't a lot of urgency from Italy; they look fairly drained, too.

108. 90'

     ALMOST! Nesta curls a cross in to the middle, but Gilardino glances his header wide of the far post.

109. 92'

     FULL-TIME: Nine-man USA hold on for a point against ten-man Italy. The group is wide open.

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