Johannesburg: Holders Italy made a humiliating exit in the World Cup group stage when they lost 3-2 to Slovakia on Thursday having been largely outplayed.
Slovakia's win put them through to the second round as Group F runners-up to Paraguay who drew 0-0 with New Zealand. Italy finished bottom of the section with just two points.
Slovakia striker Robert Vittek scored after 25 and 73 minutes and Kamil Kopunek added a third in the 89th for the World Cup debutants at a stunned Ellis Park, where Italian flags stopped waving almost from the start.
Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella scored late on for Italy but the group favourites were always chasing the game.
Image:Robert Vittek, center, is delighted after scoring past Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti
Text: Reuters
Images: AP
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