Italy, England, Portugal, Dutch advance in World Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-09 09:00

Italy Beats Slovenia, Qualifies for Cup

(AP)

Italy's Christian Zaccardo, left, celebrates after scoring to Slovenia's goalie Borut Mavric, right, during their 2006 Soccer World Cup qualifying match in Palermo, Sicily, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005. [AP]

Second-half substitute Cristian Zaccardo, who plays for Palermo, crouched down to convert off a cross from club teammate Fabio Grosso in the 78th minute. The Sicilian fans went wild for the all-Palermo play.

It was the first time Italy qualified for the tournament with a game to spare since it won the World Cup in 1982. Slovenia can no longer qualify.

The Italians produced a flurry of scoring chances in the first hour. Coach Marcello Lippi looked like he was going for a tie, which was all Italy needed to qualify, when he replaced striker Alberto Gilardino with defender Zaccardo in the 61st minute. But the move paid off and Italy will now be aiming for a fourth title at next year's tournament in Germany.

The Azzurri have an unreachable 20 points atop Group 5 of European qualifying with only one match to play. Norway is next with 15 points.

Italy hosts last-place Moldova on Wednesday.