Francesco Totti scored from the penalty spot in injury time to lead Italy to a 1-0 win over Australia and into the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Italy striker Luca Toni nearly scored four times before the Italians were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Marco Materazzi was sent off for bringing down Marco Bresciano just outside the area.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon twice saved shots from Scott Chipperfield and, with the Australians in control, coach Marcello Lippi gambled by sending on Francesco Totti in the 75th.
The AS Roma playmaker is still not fully fit after two-and-a-half months out following a broken left leg, but the Italians were struggling against a team they should have been beating easily.
Australia nearly scored in the 89th when Bresciano’s corner found Tim Cahill in the area, but the forward’s header went over the crossbar. — Sapa-AP