England v Italy

The two teams came on to the pitch as their fans cheered them on.  The whistle blew and they were under way.

Italy’s Danielle de Rossi hit the post in the opening 5 minutes from thirty yards. Gianluigi Buffon denied Glen Johnson from a curler inside the six yard box, then Rooney headed the ball over the bar. It should have been a goal. Ballotelli missed a great chance but was played onside by Terry, fortunately for England Terry got back to block the shot!

It was a superb ball over the England defence from Montivillo, then Ballotelli attempted a scissor kick but it went straight into the palms of Joe Hart. There was an easy chance for Ballotelli from an Andreas Pirlo cross. Ballotelli missed from four yards! And then the whistle blew for half time.

Second half

Joe Hart then punched Pirlo’s corner but it fell for Montivillo, he crossed the ball back in to the six yard box, De Rossie’s left foot volley floated wide. A cross from Walcott went too high for Andy Carroll’s reach but it fell for Ashley Young who struck the ball into the Italian defenders leg, which prevented a corner. Montivillo made a fantastic pass to Nocerino, luckily for England Glen Johnson got back to make a magnificent block. Full time, extra time begun.

Extra time

Diamanti hit the post, a missed opportunity for Italy. Ballzerreti fizzed the ball into the box and found Diamanti who couldn’t direct his shot on target. Diamanti crossed the ball into the box and found Nocerino and headed the ball in, but he was offside.

Penalties

There went the whistle for penalties. Ballotelli was up first, he was against his own Manchester City team mate Joe Hart, but still scored 1-O. Gerrard’s shot put it in the same corner 1-1. Italy missed, still 1-1. Rooney blasted his into the corner 2-1. Pirlo chipped the ball down the middle 2-2. Young smashed it against the bar 2-2. Nocerino scored with his stutter penalty 3-2. Ashley Cole stepped up, to miss the penalty. Italy need to score to win. Diamanti sent Hart the wrong way to send Italy to the semi finals!    

By Joe and Luke D