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How did Italy qualify for the 2010 World Cup

Following a disappointing performance in the 2008 European Championships, Italy would have to ensure that their ageing team did not count against them in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

The current reigning World champions were drawn into a potentially tricky group alongside Bulgaria, Ireland, Montenegro, Cyprus and Georgia. The Irish had previous pedigree of troubling the bigger nations whilst Bulgaria were not to be underestimated with stars such as Dimitar Berbatov and Martin Petrov. The three other teams realistically had no chance of qualification but were all capable of taking points from the opposition.

This theory was almost proven early on as Cyprus looked to be holding the Italians to a 1-1 draw in Larnaca. However, a Di Natale goal in the 92nd minute saved their blushes from an early slip up. They soon got back to winning ways as a Daniele De Rossi brace sealed a straighforward home victory over Georgia. However, the group itself looked fairly tight with no teams being comprehensively beaten. This also helped the Italians as it meant that Ireland and Bulgaria dropped points.

A tricky away match to Bulgaria followed which the Italians drew 0-0 to bring them back in contact with the chasing pack. An Alberto Aquilani double then helped a below par Italy to a crucial home 2-1 victory over Montenegro. The team managed a far more convincing victory in the return fixture against Montenegro with a 2-0 victory.

The next match was against second placed Republic of Ireland. A victory for Italy would make it very tough for anyone to overhaul them. An early goal for Vincenzo Iaquinta looked to have Italy on their way to an important win after Gianpaolo Pazzini was sent off in the 3rd minute. However, a late Robbie Keane goal earned a draw which stopped Italy from stretching their lead at the top.

It was five months before the Italian’s next encounter which was away to Georgia. Bizarrely, the game was settled with two own goals from Georgian Kakha Kaladze who has played his club football in Italy for many years. A further 2-0 victory at home to Bulgaria put Italy four points clear of the Irish with two games remaining.

The penultimate match of the group saw Italy travel to Dublin to take on Ireland. An irish victory would close the gap to 1 point. Any other result would see Italy confirm their place in South Africa. A dramatic game saw Ireland take the lead on two occasions. In true Italian style, a last gasp goal from Alberto Gilardino earned the most valuable of points that guaranteed top spot for the Azzurri.

With their place confirmed at the World Cup in June, Italy trailed Cyprus 2-0 for the majority of the match in Parma. However, a hat-trick in the last twelve minutes from Gilardino ended their qualification campaign in style. Italy will hope that such fightbacks aren’t necessary next summer as they bid to win the World Cup for a second time in a row.

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