The defending champions, Italy, have been knocked out of the tournament in the group stage. In one of the more stunning results in Cup history, Italy was not only eliminated, the Italians finished last in their group behind New Zealand, a team that has only two World Cup appearances in its history and has never won a World Cup game. The Italians have won the World Cup four times.
As much as I relish the fate of the arrogant, cynical Italians, my heart breaks for New Zealand. The Kiwis were unbeaten, getting three draws in the group, and still, they could not advance. One goal would've done it, and despite my pleading with the television, it would not come. Paraguay and Slovakia move on.
The friendly Italian fans I met at the last World Cup are most likely throwing their funny hats onto a bonfire about now. On paper, Italy had one of the easier paths to the round of 16, but the Azzurri played like a team that was granted a bye into the next round. There are no byes at the World Cup finals.
Sorry, that's not exactly true: Bye, Bye Italia!!
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