World Cup 2018: 5 favourites eliminated at the group stage in past World Cup editions

#4 Italy – World Cup 2010

Italy failed to make it out of the group stage in 2010 - even drawing with New Zealand

2010’s World Cup, the first to take place on African soil in South Africa was not a vintage tournament for a pair of European giants in France and England, but it could be argued that the biggest shock came from World Cup holders Italy, who somehow found themselves bottom of a group that included a trio of minnows – Paraguay, Slovakia and debutants New Zealand.

Despite three of the winning finalists from 2006, including captain Fabio Cannavaro – starting Italy’s first game in South Africa against Paraguay, the best the Azzuri could manage was a 1-1 draw.

It didn’t seem disastrous though as most observers were expecting Paraguay to be the other team to advance from the group alongside the Italians.

A 1-1 draw against New Zealand on the other hand made Italy’s situation a whole lot worse. The Kiwis stunningly took the lead in just the 7th minute through Shane Smeltz, and although Italy equalised from the penalty spot 20 minutes later, they simply couldn’t break New Zealand down despite having 17 shots on goal.

The draw meant that Italy would have to beat Slovakia to advance to the knockout round, but in one of the best games of the tournament, it was Slovakia who went into a 2-0 lead, with Robert Vittek scoring two goals, one either side of half-time.

With 9 minutes to go Antonio di Natale pulled a goal back, but after the Azzuri had a goal disallowed for offside, Slovakia scored a third to put the game seemingly beyond them.

Even then Italy didn’t give up, but their second goal turned out to be no more than a consolation, as they slipped out of the tournament at the earliest moment.

Following in France’s path, they became the fourth World Cup holders to be eliminated at the group stage.