Like Brazil in 1966 and France in 2002, the holders exited the World Cup at the first available opportunity, although they went out in one of the most astonishing matches this tournament can have seen. Slovakia, who seemingly had the stuffing knocked out of them by New Zealand and Paraguay, suddenly produced some wonderful one-touch football, taking a two-goal lead through Robert Vittek before finally Italy produced a fightback. Martin Skrtel cleared off the line and perhaps even behind it. Quagliarella’s goal was ruled offside before Antonio di Natale found the net . Kamil Kopinek scored with seconds of normal time remaining and then Quagliarella found the net legitimately. It was not enough and all the age and uncertainty of the Italian defence was ruthlessly exposed. “Home in Shame” was the headline on Gazzetta dello Sport, the nation’s leading sports newspaper and it was hard to disagree.