USA outplays Italy 3-1

It was a very thrilling game when USA ran out 3-1 winners over Italy in the top-of-the-table clash in Elias Aguirre Stadium (Chiclayo) on 20 September. For all their physical strength, the Italians never got to grips with the USA's diminutive strikers, and despite a late rally after the sending-off of Salvatore Foti, they can have few complaints about the result. The Squadra must now face and defeat Korea DPR to be sure of a place in the quarterfinals, while the Americans can take on Côte d'Ivoire calm in the knowledge that they are safely through.

"Our players managed to execute our plans perfectly," explained John Hackworth after the game. "We wanted to put them under pressure right from the start and we played very well in the first half, even though we failed to score. We kept at it though, and it paid off. Then we resisted their pressure very well at the end."

With so much at stake, the tactics employed by both teams were always going to be important and it was with great interest that onlookers waited to see what changes the opposing coaches would announce. Both had been tight-lipped, but on the day John Hackworth opted to start Nik Besagno in place of Amaechi Igwe in the heart of his defence, while Francesco Rocca scrapped the three-man rearguard he had tried against the Ivorians. Reverting to a classic 4-4-2, the Italian boss dropped excellent midfielder Matteo Mandorlini to accommodate Manuel Angelucci at the back.

As a result, and no doubt due to the searing heat as well, there were no openings to speak of in the early stages of the game. The only excitement, in fact, was provided by the mascot, Vicky, who made sure to keep the crowds amused from the touch-line. On the pitch, meanwhile, jet-heeled American playmaker David Arvizu attempted to unsettle the Azzurri defence, and he came within inches of intercepting a poor back-pass before Enrico Alfonso launched himself at the ball (19').

Arvizu then found himself in an even better position moments later, after a well-worked counter-attack and a clever pass from Preston Zimmerman left him one-on-one with Alfonso. With the fans on their feet, he somehow contrived to screw his effort wide of the far post (32'). The Pateadores ace did not have to wait too long for another chance, however, and it came to him from a corner. Having beaten his marker for pace, he worked himself into space to unleash a shot, but was still unable to hit the target (39'). The USA's dominance was almost total, yet anything looked possible as long as they remained wasteful in front of goal. "Naturally, I'm a bit disappointed I didn't score," explained Arvizu. "I was unlucky, but my buddies scored and that's what's important."