Slovakia ousts defending champion Italy

JOHANNESBURG - The stunned looks and the tears told the story - for both teams.

For defending champion Italy, the ignominy of being sent out of the World Cup in the first round sank in immediately.

"Tonight," midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said, "we touched rock bottom."

For Slovakia, which beat the Azzurri, 3-2, Thursday to advance, the celebrating might not stop before Monday's second-round game.

"We've shown that we're not here for a holiday," said Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek.

Four-time champion Italy finished last in an opening-round group for the first time in its history.

"I take full responsibility," said coach Marcello Lippi, who led the Azzurri to the 2006 championship. "If the squad went out with fear in their legs and hearts it means the coach didn't prepare the match well tactically or psychologically."

For the third consecutive game, the Azzurri allowed an early goal and this time they never recovered. Robert Vittek put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute, taking advantage of an errant pass from midfielder Daniele De Rossi. Vittek doubled the lead from close range in the 73rd following a corner kick.

Antonio Di Natale scored for Italy in the 81st, but Kamil Kopunek ended Italy's chances eight minutes later, even though Fabio Quagliarella scored in injury time for Italy.

"We didn't win a game and it's everyone's fault," playmaker Andrea Pirlo said. "We're a team and we've got to assume responsibility all together."

Never have the previous World Cup finalists both failed to advance in the next tournament when both qualified. France, which lost to Italy on penalty kicks for the 2006 title, went out earlier this week.

Paraguay 0, New Zealand 0

Despite being held to a 0-0 draw by New Zealand, Paraguay still won its World Cup group and moved into the round of 16. Paraguay finished with five points in Group F. New Zealand finished third in the group with three points off of three ties. - AP