Ghana emerge from real "group of death"

Both Italy and Ghana won the last matches of the round robin on Thursday to go through from Group E, the real Group of Death which produced the biggest upset so far at the 2006 World Cup.

The Czech Republic, world number two team on the FIFA world rankings, lost 2-0 to the eventual group winners Italy, finishing only three points with one win and two losses.

Ghana eliminated the United States with a 2-1 win to take the second position with six points from two wins and one loss.

Italy will face the runner-up of the Group F while Ghana is likely to set up a clash against the Group F leader, Brazil, in the knockout phase.

Featuring Argentina, the Netherlands, Cote d'Ivoire and Serbia and Montenegro, the Group C had been widely dubbed as the Group of Death before the tournament kicked off, but was concluded with a surprising ending as Argentina and Holland advancing before the final group matches.

The Group E, however, had the most of the drama of the tournament as all the four teams had a chance for a shot of a berth in the next round before the final match-ups kicked off.

Italy led the group with four points after two rounds but facing the biggest opponent of the group, the Czech, who must win to advance.

Ghana, who was trying to keep the fate in its own hands, was also seeking for a win against the United States, who leveled Italy 1-1.

The Americans would have booked a berth for the next round should they have defeated Ghana by two goals, and Italy beat the Czech.

But for Italy and Ghana, who had the better chance to advance, to win the group is the only stake as the runner-up is very likely to face the defending champion Brazil in the next round.

Italy had the final word of Group E as the Czechs were reduced to 10 men for the second consecutive time in the group stage.

While the Africans won a bitter-taste match-up with four players collecting yellow cards and committing 32 fouls, the double of those of the Americans.

Italy has a brighter path than Ghana in the last-16 group but the World Cup journey is just kicked off.