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Special: FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006>>>
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| Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo found defender Fabio Grosso who lashed an spectacular curling shot into the far corner with just one minute to go.(photo: sina) | Two goals in the last two minutes of extra time awarded Italy a 2006 World Cup final berth on Tuesday.
In the pulsating and dramatic semifinal duel against hosts Germany here, Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo found defender Fabio Grosso who lashed an spectacular curling shot into the far corner with just one minute to go.
Pirlo was named Man of the Match by the FIFA Technical Study Group.
With Germans pushing forward desperately for an equalizer, Italy unravelled the German defense again in the last minute when striker Alberto Gilardino set up Alessandro Del Piero on the left before the substitute scored with a clinical finish.
The two goals settled the match which had appeared to head for a penalty shootout.
"It was tough but we are delighted that we have done it. It is a dream, we have achieved something huge here," said Italy coach Marcello Lippi.
There was more drama in the extra time than regular time.
Only one minute into the extra time, Gilardino, who replaced Luca Toni in the second half, squeezed into the box on the right, turned past Christoph Metzelder and sent Jens Lehmann the wrong way but his stabbed shot rebounded off the post and trickled away to safety.
After only two minutes, a corner was sent to Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta outside the area but he lashed a screamer on to the crossbar.
Editor: Donald
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