Defending champion Italy trails Slovakia 1-0 after 60 minutes in World Cup Group F game

Italy trails Slovakia 1-0 after 60 minutes at WCup

JOHANNESBURG — Defending champion Italy’s hold on the World Cup is slipping as it trails Slovakia 1-0 after an hour of the teams’ final Group F match.

Italy’s struggling midfield gave away possession in the 25th minute and forward Robert Vittek guided his shot low to the right of goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Italy goes home if it loses, but a draw could be enough to advance.

Playmaker Andrea Pirlo and forward Fabio Quagliarella are on to bolster an attack that’s creating little.

In the 50th minute, Vincenzo Iaquinta misdirected a header and Antonio Di Natale shot wide in the 55th.

Slovakia must win to have a chance of advancing. Captain Marek Hamsik dragged a volley wide in the sixth, and Zdenko Strba and Juraj Kucka were close with first-half shots.