Italy is out ... repeat ... Italy is out of the World Cup after a brilliant Slovakian side was far too good for the reigning champions.

Two goals from Robert Vittek, one either side of the break, and a third from substitute Kapil Kopunek with minutes remaining ended the Italian's defence of their trophy at the group stage, joining France, the team they beat in the final four years ago, on the plane home.

Italy does not tend to go out of World Cup's early. In the previous 10 tournament they have reached four finals, winning two of them. They have lost out at the semi-final stage twice, the quarter finals once and have only went out in the opening round once back in 1974.

With four World Cups in the trophy cabinet they are second only to Brazil who have five. In short they are World Cup royalty and expect to qualify from any group, but especially one such as this.