Azzurri break German hearts

Germany's FIFA World Cup dream died in dramatic circumstances at the Westfalenstadion tonight as strikes from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero decided an epic semi-final.

Late show
The goals came as penalties loomed at the end of extra time after these two European heavyweights had slugged it out in Dortmund, producing an end-to-end contest which benefited from the referee allowing play to flow. Full-back Grosso was teed up by Andrea Pirlo to curl a first-time shot beyond the despairing dive of Germany keeper Jens Lehmann in the 119th minute. Then, with the last touch of the night, substitute Del Piero capped the victory by profiting from Alberto Gilardino's clever reverse pass.

Attack, attack, attack
The early threat had come from the Azzurri, midfielder Simone Perrotta being denied by Lehmann as he surged into the opposition area in the 15th minute. Striker Luca Toni then went close to connecting with Grosso's cross following a strong run by the left-back. Yet the hosts matched that attacking intent just after the half-hour, when the forward pairing of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski combined to free the right-sided Bernd Schneider, but the eventual shot was blazed over Gianluigi Buffon's crossbar.

Forwards frustrated
The second half started in similarly positive fashion. Klose's dribble took the tournament's five-goal top scorer past defenders and beyond the penalty spot, only for his footing to fail him at the key moment. The Italian response was a dangerous dart by Grosso on to Pirlo's through-pass which an offside flag thwarted. It was Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann who was feeling frustrated on 62 minutes as Buffon saved smartly from Podolski's close-range strike after the forward had turned marker Marco Materazzi.

Ebb and flow
Still an enthralling semi-final ebbed and flowed. With extra time imminent, Italy's defensive supremo Fabio Cannavaro was adjudged to have fouled Podolski outside the box; Michael Ballack fired the free-kick over. Lehmann was then made to work by Perrotta's break into the Germany area, fisting the ball to safety.

Frame of the goal
Lehmann, though, was beaten twice in the opening minutes of overtime. First Gilardino, another replacement for Marcello Lippi's team, hit the inside of the custodian's near post from six metres, after cutting outside Ballack. Then Gianluca Zambrotta rattled the woodwork from the edge of the area. It was a Germany substitute who almost unlocked the door in the 105th minute, David Odonkor's inviting right-wing centre being headed wide by Podolski.

Double blow
Podolski also had an attempt tipped over by Buffon, seconds after Lehmann had blocked Del Piero's route to goal as the ball bounced dangerously in the Germany box. Tired legs couldn't deter the drama, however, and after Lehmann had palmed Pirlo's shot behind for a corner, the latter player set up Grosso to score the deciding goal. Del Piero then salted German wounds with an emphatic finish.