Defending champion Italy trails Slovakia 2-0 after 75 minutes of final World Cup Group F game

Italy trails Slovakia 2-0 after 75 minutes at WCup

JOHANNESBURG — Defending champion Italy’s hold on the World Cup is slipping as it trails Slovakia 2-0 after 75 minutes of the teams’ final Group F match.

Slovakia forward Robert Vittek scored his second goal in the 73rd minute with a close-range shot after some lax Italian defense.

Italy will go home if it loses. A draw could be enough to advance.

Substitute Fabio Quagliarella had a 67th-minute shot blocked on the line by Slovak defender Martin Skrtel.

Coach Marcello Lippi has made all three substitutions, with playmaker Andrea Pirlo feeding a four-man attack. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Antonio Di Natale have missed good chances.

Slovakia went up in the 25th minute when Vittek guided his shot low to the right of goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Slovakia must win to have a chance of advancing.