[romanesq]

If England plays fairly and advances to the final, I'll be the first to applaud them.
As it stands, Italy is where they are and deserves it. I have little doubt that elevation of play will continue to the semi-final if not the final.

They have the discipline few teams can match with enough talent to match.

But I don't want to see the advancement made due to stupid carding by the ref.

[stainlessbanner]

I think we have seen the advancement of teams due to "stupid carding" by the ref. I think the PK could have been compensation for Italy's earlier red card.

[jjbrouwer]

Italy have quite an easy route to the semi-final if I'm reading the draw correctly. I think they next play the winner of Switzerland vs Ukraine.

They will however probably lose to Ukraine, unless there is some more good diving in the penalty box from their discredited players, some of whom are currently being investigated in Italy for irregularities. (And could end up playing in the Italian third division if they are punished for cheating.)

The winner of the Germany Argentina match will coast into the final.

The probable England Argentina final is a mouth-watering prospect. Hopefully, some of you neutrals will support the Mother Country.