Stoppage time penalty puts 10-man Italy through

KAISERSLAUTERN, June 26: Italy went through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a controversial last-gasp penalty by Francesco Totti to beat unlucky underdogs Australia 1-0.

Italy dominated the first half but the match changed in the 50th minute when Italian defender Marco Materazzi was shown a straight red card for a scything tackle on Marco Bresciano.

Australia began to take more possession from that point on but found it hard to break down the Italian defence. Substitute Totti's penalty came after Lukas Neill was judged to have brought down Fabio Grosso in stoppage time.

Italy will play either Switzerland or Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday.

REUTERS