Czech Republic 0
Italy 2

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Italy clinched top spot in World Cup Group E yesterday, eliminating the 10-man Czech Republic with a 2-0 victory.

A 26th minute header from substitute Marco Materazzi gave the Italians the lead before the Czechs were reduced to ten men just before the break with the dismissal of Jan Polak.

Substitute Filippo Inzaghi rounded goalkeeper Petr Cech to roll home the second in the 87th minute as the Czechs threw everyone forward.

The Czechs sorely missed injured forward Jan Koller and suspended striker Vratislav Lokvenc and it was left to midfielder Pavel Nedved to provide the attacking inspiration.

Twice in the early stages Nedved tested his Juventus club-mate, Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon with long-range efforts.

Buffon dealt well with a dipping drive but could only parry out another Nedved effort - although the Italy keeper did well to smother Marek Jankulovski's follow-up.

Italy's problems increased in the 17th minute when they were forced into a change - Alessandro Nesta, suffering from what appeared to be a recurrence of his troublesome muscle injury, limping off to be replaced by Materazzi.

Nine minutes after entering, the big central defender put the Azzurri in front with his first goal for the national side leaping superbly above Polak to power a header past Cech.

The Italians' grip on the game got tighter just before the break when Polak was dismissed for a second bookable offence for a foul from behind on Totti.

That left Karel Brueckner's side down to ten men for a second half in which they needed to score twice to keep themselves in the World Cup and the Czech coach made a switch at the break bringing on attack-minded Jiri Stajner for midfielder Karel Poborsky.

Totti, still looking far from his best, was given space for a long-range effort that Cech pushed round the post in the 53rd minute.

At other end Nedved forced Buffon into action again after latching on to a through ball from Stajner and then minutes later produced a thundering drive which had the Italy keeper at full stretch.

Aftermatch Comments...

Coach Marcello Lippi was warm in his praise of Italy's unity after yesterday's match.

"This team has terrific spirit, probably the most fighting spirit I have had in any team," said Lippi.

"We deserve to qualify, we played two great games to beat Ghana and Czech Republic, two very difficult teams."

By finishing top of the group Italy avoided meeting champions Brazil in the second round.

"Finishing first was important for lots of reasons but even if we had to play them (Brazil) we would have given it our best shot," said Lippi.

"Sooner or later you're going to have to play one of the favourites."

Italy's goals came from substitutes.

Asked if the changes were the key to winning the match, Lippi said: "All goals are equal, they have the same weight.

"One just has to be patient because in this tournament every team gets its chances.

"The important thing is to be ready to take them when they come."

Czech coach Karel Brueckner said his side were up against it after having Jan Polak sent off at the end of the first half.

"Playing with 10 men was just too difficult today," said Brueckner after his team were eliminated from the competition.

"We lost a lot of players before the game and had suspensions which hurt us in this tournament.

"It is too early to assess and think about what might happen in the future."

Milan Baros said: "Italy played very well. It is not easy to score two goals against a team like this.

"We didn't play badly. We lost to Ghana in the second game. If we had got a point in that, it was 90 per cent certain we would go through."

Czech Republic: 1-Cech; 2-Grygera, 6-Jankulovski, 22-Rozehnal, 5-Kovac (18-Heinz 78); 19-Polak, 11-Nedved, 8-Poborsky (17-Stajner 46), 10-Rosicky, 20-Plasil; 15-Baros (14-Jarolim 64).

Italy: 1-Buffon; 3-Grosso, 13-Nesta (23-Materazzi 17), 5-Cannavaro, 19-Zambrotta; 21-Pirlo, 8-Gattuso, 20-Perrotta, 16-Camoranesi (17-Barone 74); 10-Totti; 11-Gilardino (18-Inzaghi 61).

Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).

Scorers: Materazzi 26; Inzaghi 87.

Red card: Polak 45.

Half-time: 0-1. Attendance: 50,000.

FIFA man of the match: Materazzi.