LiveBlog: Italy-Ghana

An entertaining match ends with the favored Italy winning 2-0. Ghana held their own in this one and there was no shortage of action. Check out the play-by-play below and leave your thoughts about the match.

Live: Italy 2-0 Ghana

Full time Italy comes away with a deserved 2-0 win against a spirited Ghana side. Pirlo and Iaquinta are the goal scorers for the Azzurri who joing the Czech Republic atop the Group E table with three points. An impressive debut for Ghana but the Black Stars come up short. Thanks for joining us for today’s liveblogs. We’ll be typing like crazy until the end of the tournament so come back again. Be safe kids.

89:14 Things we learned from this match. Italy is strong. Ghana is better than anticipated. There is a player named Pimpong in the World Cup.

88:15 Ghana has nothing to be ashamed of from this performance. They played an on form Italy team very well. A couple of breaks either way in this might have been a different result.

87:03 Iaquinta picks up the yellow card for being a butthead.

85:13 Italy will play the next five minutes trying not to pick up cards. My on the spot analysis says they’ll have no problem against the US. Ghana might give the Czech Republic a game but I see the two European teams advancing at this point. Bold prediction, I know.

83:47 I feel bad for Ghana. They’ve played a great game and to make a mistake like that in the final minutes is heartbreaking. Italy deserves the win but still….

82:21 GOALLLL!!!! Italy. Horrible mistake by the Ghana defender Kafour leads to an Iaquinta goal. 2-0 Italy. Game over.

81:29 Del Piero on and Toni off. Very solid game from Luca Toni. What a luxury it is for Italy to have Del Piero come off the bench.

80:45 Essien with a long shot that isn’t close. If you don’t like this game then you should consider a new hobby. I recommend knitting.

79:46 Ghana fans and neutrals on their feet imploring their team to score a goal. Can they follow the lead of the Aussies and pull off a late game miracle?

78:03 Ghana player with a serious dive in the box. He split two defenders and then lept to the ground. Good no call.

76:31 Iaquinta gets the magic spray and he is ready to run back onto the pitch. I need some magic spray for my fingers. They ache.

74:45 Iaquinta breaks free but the flag is up. He was brought down by the Ghana player and now needs to have his leg amputated. Replay shows that he is a cm offside. That was as close as it gets.

73:49 Pimpong is bouncing all over the field for Ghana. Aha, finally had an excuse to write that.

73:02 Ghana leads possession 53-47 but Italy is ahead where it counts. 1-0 Azzurri on a goal by Pirlo in the 40th.

72:16 Ghana has twenty minutes to make history. Can you imagine how exciting it must be in that country right now. Ghana player pushed down in the box but no call. Probably the right no call.

70:01 It is killing me that Pimpong is playing in the latest game when I am tired and out of jokes. His name sounds awesome in German. Who knows how it translates.

67:50 Pimpong on for Amoah. They have a player named Pimpong. Wow, you have to love Ghana.

66:10 Perrotta with a dead on shot. Ghana keeper Kingston having himself a great game. Apologies for ripping on him earlier. He looks dodgy but in a good way now.

64:41 Asamoah gets a yellow card for a dangerous slide tackle. The yello cards are starting to come out in this one but the play isn’t especially dirty.

63:07 Appiah finds some space and rips a shot well wide. Ghana creating chances. Iaquinta in for Gilardino for Italy.

61:23 Camoranesi gets a yellow for tripping a Ghana player. He might also be penalized for having an out of control ponytail.

60:12 Every time I think Ghana is about ready to crack they start stringing together passes. They have kept their composure nicely and have put themselves in a position to get a result.

58:22 I’m starting to think that this game and the Argentina-Ivory Coast match have been the best played of the entire competition. End to end excitement in both games.

56:40 Totti with ice on his leg on the bench. I think he just got kicked and will end up with one of those ugly blue bruises. I have one myself from kicking a door the other night after a goal. Wasn’t a pretty scene here.

55:18 Totti gets cracked on the leg and he is being replaced by Camoranesi. Don’t think Totti is seriously hurt but given his injury history probably is a good move to get him out.

54:42 In my next life I really want to be a third string keeper. You sit on the bench picking grass without a worry in the world.

54:01 Ghana controlling the action the past few minutes. These Black Stars can play. Will they be the first African team to get a point this tournament?

52:32 Lots of back and forth action. This game has been played at a very good pace. Compared to the earlier matches today this one is much more entertaining. Still 1-0 Italy of a Pirlo goal in the 40th.

51:45If I haven’t thanked you already, I am much obliged for your comments and for you coming to World Cup Blog. We’re liveblogging every game so tell your friends and loved ones. Heck, tell your enemies too.

50:31 Gilardino breaks free and hammers a shot that Kingston kick saves away. The Ghana keeper has played a good game despite looking dodgy at times.

48:45 If only Puma knew that Ghana would be so decent they might have spent a little more time designing a kit. These Ghana kits are boring with a capital ugly.

47:45 This is probably the best Italy has started a tournament in a long time. They are playing very well tonight against a Ghana team that is going to prove to be dangerous this competition.

46:31 Italy breaks free but the cross is just out of the range of Toni. Again he gives the constipated look. The Italian team is very dramatic. Makes me laugh every time.

45:13 For those scoring at home I am enjoying a nice Hefeweizen this half. God bless German beer. My apolgies to those of you who can’t drink and work.

45:01 Shillia in for Pappoe in the Ghana backline. Game is back on.

Halftime The first 45 minutes were quite entertaining with both sides having a number of chances to score. Italy looks solid and Ghana does not look like a minnow. The only goal is by Pirlo in the 40th minute. A real beauty of a goal. I’m off to get another beer and will be back right before the start of the half. What are your thoughts on the match thus far?

44:56 Rossi with a near goal but a diving Kingston breaks it up. Could have been a crushing goal before the whistle.

43:45 Ghana with space to operate in the midfield but Italy comes back to recover. Shouldn’t have much added time.

42:45 Referee largely a non factor to this point. Just the way it should be. There was a shot of a Ghana fan after the Italy goal and it was just crushing. We’ve all been there.

42:00 Ghana looking to settle the play down. Italy is always tough to come back on. My guess is this Ghana team will throw everything they have at the game.

40:29 A well earned goal by Italy. How will Ghana respond to the adversity?

39:15 GOALLLLL! Andrea Pirlo drills it from just outside the box right into the corner of the net. Very nice goal.

38:02 Essien wins the corner kick. Played into the box and Buffon comes down with it. Wow, that is an ugly keeper’s kits. What color is that?

37:25 So far a very cleanly played game with lots of pace. Both teams have attacks that are worthy. Italy playing a much more offensive style of football than in years past. Really quite refreshing to see.

35:12 Luca Toni continuing to wreak havoc but unable to put the ball in the goal. This game is being played in waves of attack.

34:24 If I am Ghana I don’t want to see Totti line up over a free kick. What a cannon of a shot he has.

33:25 Both sides could be on the board at this point. Lots of close calls. Still 0-0.

32:17 Totti knocked down by an indvertant elbow. Free kick Azzurri. Totti blasts it from 40 out and Kingston has to rise to knock it over the bar. This game is coming to life in a big way.

31:05 Papoe with another golden chance for Ghana. If the Black Stars would keep their shots down they might actually take the lead.

30:11 Essien breaks free but his left footed shot sails wide. Essien showing his skill in this one.

30:00 One third of the way through the match and Italy has had the better chances, but credit must go to Ghana for staying composed and making this a game.

28:22 Asamoah with a shot from long range and it is just off the mark. Buffon might not have gotten to that if it was on goal. Good action now.

26:54 That was just a splendid individual move by Toni. He beat his defender and nailed it but the bar is Ghana’s 12th man.

26:11 Ghana creating some chances but looks reluctant to shoot. Luca Toni goes one on one with the defender and he drills the bottom of the cross bar. How did that not go in? Close

24:01 Italy looking sharp. They also are on form with disappointed looks. The wave is going around the stadium and Ghana clears it out of their end. Italy smells blood.

23:05 Totti starting to come to life for Italy. He seems to be moving well coming off of that injury.

22:11 How about this Group E? Czechs looked great today and both Italy and Ghana look decent. Corner kick Italy and it is eaten up by Kingston.

19:50 Asamoah showing nice skill for the Black Stars. The German annoucer constantly refers to Essien as Michael Essien, Chelsea London.

18:34 In absolute contrast to Angola, Ghana looks comfortable playing in the World Cup against a good team.

17:34 No shock in this statement, but the Italian defense looks very well organized.

15:43 By this point last evening C. Ronaldo had already had 25 pouts. None on either side thus far. The Italian fans are singing a White Stripes tune. Bonus points for them.

14:59 italy free kick and it is blasted over the bar by Totti who also gives the I’m constipated and not feeling good about life look.

14:30 Anybody know what font they use on the Italy uniforms? Has to be one of the least readable choices out there.

13:00 Italy with the better run of play thus far but Ghana looks like they can play with the big boys. This one could be interesting if the Ghana keeper gets his head in the game.

11:50 Wow, this Ghana keeper Kingston is something to watch and not in a good way. He is all over the place and nowhere near the ball. My men’s league team keeper might be better.

11:15 Free kick for Ghana and it is booted away by Italy which races down the pitch. Luca Toni nearly hits in a cross and Ghana dodges a bullet.

9:40 De Rossi kicks the Ghana player down just outside the box and he is awarded with a little yellow card from the Brazilian ref.

8:45 I once knew a guy who got malaria in Ghana. John, if you are reading this I hope you are feeling better. Little action to this point.

7:45 The Italy captian Cannavaro heads one over the crossbar and then gives the “I’m constipated and feeling bad” look.

6:55 Italy corner kick. This Ghana keeper Kingston looks unsteady. Hit over the endline for another corner, which is punched away by the Black Stars keeper.

5:45 Ghana standing toe-to-toe with Italy. They don’t appear to be overwhelmed by the moment.

4:00 I’ve decided that Luca Toni is my favorite name to hear in German. Followed closely by Eric Addo. Nothing happening to this point. For those of you at work this might be a good time to work on something.

2:39 Shot of Ghana coach who is known as Doya. The controversial Serb has somehow avoide being sacked before the World Cup. Not quite the mess of Togo but still not a good situation.

1:32 Luca Toni hits the turf. Ahhhh the familiar site of Italian players on the ground.

1:02 Both teams come out running faster than the ball. Lots of nervous energy. We’ve seen how important early moments in the games are this competition.

Kickoff We’re underway in the 11th match of the 2006 World Cup. Ghana makes its World Cup debut against 3-time champion Italy.

Pregame:

2 minutes: 4-3-1-2 for Italy and a 4-4-2 for Ghana

4 minutes to kickoff: Ghana players with hands over hearts. Singing but without the enthusiasm of Italy. Could this affect the outcome of the match? Probably not but I’m a little loopy after all these game.

5 minutes to kickoff: Italian anthem is played. The players are locked arm in arm and sing with much pride. Funny how some teams choose to sing and others are more reticent.

6 minutes to kickoff: Franz Beckenbauer is in the stands. Sitting next to Sepp Blatter. Beckenbauer is the man of the match before it even starts.

8 minutes to kickoff: The players are lined up in the tunnel. The referees lead them out and they line up on the pitch for the wonderful moment when the national anthems are played. Still gives me goose bumps each game. Italy is wearing their classic blue. Ghana adorned in very bland white Puma kits.

10 minutes to kickoff: Will Franz Beckenbauer be in the stands for this one? He was at the US match so his helicopter will have to race against time to deliver him from Gelsenkirchen to Hanover. Luckiest guy in the world getting to see all these games in person.

13 minutes to kickoff: Some cool shots of stands in the fans. Ghana might not have huge numbers but their supporters are very festive. The Azzurri has brought a good number to Hanover. Have to think a lot of neutral fans will be rooting for the underdog in this one.

15 minutes to kickoff: After two weeks in Germany I think I finally figured out the German words for “player” “team” and “coach.” Small accomplishments. With 54 more games to watch I’m still thinking I’ll be fluent by the end of this tournament. Nothing beats a football immersion language course.

20 minutes to kickoff: The sun is starting to go down and after a warm day in Germany it is finally cooling off. I’m still sweating buckets thanks to the massive heat given off by the projection screen tv at World Cup Blog HQ in Berlin. Probably just means I need to keep hydrated with more beer.

25 minutes to kickoff: Watching the Italian players warm up makes me feel very inadequate in the hair department.

30 minutes to kickoff: Shots of Ghana players on their hands and knees praying. Seriously.

The final game of the day. My fingers are fired up and ready to go. Get your predictions down now or forever hold your peace.