MD 11: The gap closes at the top as the Azzurri push into the last 16

Croatia 1 Italy 1: Zaccagni's goal puts Italy through into the last 16

Del Piero goal against Germany; 2006 World Cup Semi-Final

The Modric marvel is undone, by the zest of the Azzurri. It's as heartbreaking as it gets if you are Croatian or are Mates who have gone for a Croatian victory. For Nestor, it doesn't get any better than this; watching a centre-back (Ricardo Calafiori) in a blue shirt steaming forward in the ninetieth eight minute of the match to lay off a pass to a right-footed Zaccangi to curl the ball into the top left corner of the Croatian net was utterly spectacular- it was the perfect strike, giving no chance to Livakovic. It brought back memories of one Del Piero at the 2006 World Cup Semi-Final against Germany. Five points to the veteran and, better still, Italy march on to face Switzerland in the Round of Sixteen. 

Football and Football4Mates; taking human beings to places they had not imagined. Drama and trauma in equal measure.

Nestor closes the gap on Michael who leads by his excellent Bonus record. Andrew is still in the mix as Alexander begins to slip. Si Webb has fifth, and World Cup Archon Nico sits in sixth position.

	Mates	G	B	Total
1	Michael A	51	10	61
2	Nestor	51	6	57
3	Andrew J	48	4	52
4	Alexander	42	8	50
5	Si Webb	42	6	48
6	Nico	39	8	47
7	Angelique	39	4	43
8	Aramis	36	6	42
9	Harry M	36	4	40
10	Michael P	33	6	39
11	John A	36	2	38
12	Yianni	30	2	32