Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, R.Kovac (Heinz 58), Jankulowski, Polak, Poborsky (Stajner 46), Nedved, Rosicky, Plasil, Baros (Jarolim 64).

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Nesta (Matterazzi 17), Grosso, Gattuso, Totti, Pirlo, Comorranese (Barone 74), Perotta, Gilardino (Inzaghi 60)

Match Report: This match was all set to be the first real showdown of this World Cup, with the loser going home early. Both teams had been fancied before the tournament, and one of them would certainly not be living up to expectations.

Italy fielded a slightly more defensive formation than last time out with just Gilardino up front. Czech Republic went Baros alone up front, more from necessity than choice.

The early indications were that this game might live up to it's billing as Czech Republic made a good start, with Nedved clearly up for the challenge. Grygera and Jankulowsky gave early width from the full back positions, and Italy looked a little shaky. Nesta and Zambrotta were forced into lunging tackles within the first few minutes as they were stretched at the back.

Nedved had the first strike on target when his left foot strike from all of 30 yards had Buffon scrambling across to push it away, almost into the path of Jankulowski. Nedved was also teaming up well with Polak, and they definitely had the early edge in midfield.

Italy were forced to make an unwanted change after just 17 minutes as Nesta limped off to be replaced by Materazzi.

Now Italy started to get more into the game, with Zambrotta doing his utmost to get forward down the right and Gattuso biting into the tackles in midfield. Pirlo was the main creative threat, but saw little of the ball. Totti was not a threat at all, and saw a lot of it.

Totti did cut back a ball to Gattuso arriving at the edge of the box, but Gattuso headed over from fully 25 yards. I'm sure he would have preferred it at his feet. The Czechs took the play straight back up the other end and had Cannavaro defending desperately, but again no clear opening.

Then Italy had a major stoke of luck. Gilardino almost got on the end of a through ball, but was ushered away by Kovac with the ball going out seemingly for a free kick. The linesman gave a corner, and Matterazzi seized his chance to butt the ball into the Czech goal from the set piece. His towering header was unstoppable.

Italy were now looking a bit more comfortable, but still the Czech side came at them. Nedved was exceptional, but all too often Baros, or Plasil, or Poborsky wasn't on his wave length. Nedved wasn't confining all his work to the opposition half either. On a couple of occasions he stormed back to make superb saving tackles.

Gattuso was upping his game in a bid to stay with Nedved, and for a spell of about 20 minutes it was as if these were the only two men out there. It was fantastic to watch, and a pity the other 18 outfield players were just passengers.

Disaster struck for the Czechs on the stroke of half time when Polak foolishly went in on Totti from behind to earn a second yellow card. Polak can have no complaints for the sending off, and must feel that he let his mates down. To play Italy with 11 men is not easy, with 10 it's near impossible.

The half ended with Italy more than happy to be leading, with Karel Bruckner probably pissing in Polak's tea and Nedved & Gattuso due a well earned rest.

Half Time: Czech Republic 0 Italy 1

More of the same came in the second half, or at least in the early part of it, when the Czechs still had a bit of energy. Nedved was still doing his best to inspire the Czechs but Canavaro and Matterazzi were swiftly in to snuff out danger, and Gattuso still having the legs to chase down in midfield.

Totti had a good early chance but his attempt at a lob was feeble. With the game now stretched as the Czechs committed forward Totti found more & more space, but had less & less idea how to use it. Pirlo would have killed for as much ball.

Rozenhal almost made a bizarre mistake to when he headed back to Cech with Perotta in between the two of them. Perotta almost got a decisive touch.

Stajner, on as substitute, got immediately involved and set up Nedved for another long range shot that fully tested Buffon, but the big keeper did not look in a mood to be beaten today.

Italy had just about weathered the storm now and the Czechs were visibly tiring, but still trying for an equaliser. Italy produced a nice set piece when Totti cut back the ball to Pirlo who volleyed first time to Cannavaro at the back post, who in turn volleyed just wide. They must have been practising that one in training.

The game was now very stretched and flowing end to end, with Italy willing to let the Czechs come forward knowing they could pick them off on the counter. Camoranese should have scored from a near post header, Totti should have done better than another feeble attempted chip and substitute Inzaghi should definitely have scored an easy chance, but put it wide.

Nedved again tested Buffon from distance, as if to say "Keep on your toes, we're not done yet", and then latched on to a fine Stajner backheel to make the keeper pull off a genuinely good save.

Inzaghi again failed to score when it seemed harder to miss than hit the net. He headed wide of an open net from six yards out after good work from Pirlo.

Inzaghi finally got his goal when the Czech defence could no longer be bothered to mark him. Perhaps they thought that they didn't need to bother, as Inzaghi would probably get himself offside anyway. On the only time Inzaghi managed to beat the offside trap (mainly because all the Czech players were in the opposing half), he was through on the goalkeeper and just managed to round him and slot home.

A good victory for Italy in a tough game, and they'll be difficult to beat in the knockout stages.

Full Time: Czech Republic 0 Italy 2

Czech Republic Ratings: Cech 6, Grygera 6, Rozehnal 6, R.Kovac 6 (Heinz 5), Jankulowski 6, Polak 6, Poborsky 4 (Stajner 7), Nedved 9, Rosicky 6, Plasil 6, Baros 5 (Jarolim 6).

Italy Ratings: Buffon 7, Zambrotta 6, Cannavaro 8, Nesta 5 (Matterazzi 7), Grosso 4, Gattuso 9, Totti 3, Pirlo 6, Camoranese 5 (Barone 5), Perotta 6, Gilardino 5 (Inzaghi 4)

Referee: B.Archundia (Mexico) 8. He was having a brilliant game, and on for a 10 until he went bonkers for 10 minutes in the first half. He then went on to have a great game after. Got all the big decisions right and showed a lot of common sense in allowing players to tackle properly in a tense game.

Good: Nedved & Gattuso's midfield battle was quality.

Bad: Juist one word Totti. I know he's been injured, but he doesn't look good enough to be in that side.

Ugly: Gattuso throttling his manager when Italy scored their second goal. What was all that about? He looked like he really meant it. Class.