Champions Italy crashed out of the World Cup as first-time qualifiers Slovakia booked a surprise place in the last 16 with a 3-2 victory, although English referee Howard Webb and his assistants denied the Azzurri what looked like a valid equaliser.

Robert Vittek's brace put Slovakia in control but Antonio Di Natale halved the deficit and substitute Fabio Quagliarella looked like he had levelled it at 2-2, but an offside decision went against him.

Kamil Kopunek came off the bench and scored with his first touch to make it 3-1 to Slovakia before Quagliarella's brilliant lob gave Italy fleeting hope, but they could not find a third to save their skins and joined fellow 2006 finalists France in bowing out of the tournament.