Group C

Italy survived the group of death with a 2-0 win over France thanks to the other match in the group going their way. Luca Toni was through on goal in the 4th minute but missed the target, as he did several times in the match. France lost Ribery to an injury in the 7th minute and Abidal to a red card in the 24th minute for a professional foul which Pirlo converted from the spot with aplomb. Four minutes later Toni flicked the ball just wide of the post with a clever back-heal. In the 33rd minute Henry also sees his effort go wide of the post, but in the 44th minute the post comes to the French rescue as Coupet gets a slight touch to a free-kick from Grosso. The ten-man French side went further behind in the 62nd minute when a free-kick from De Rossi was deflected past Coupet. At the other end in the 74th minute Benzema's beautifully curled shot was saved magnificently by Buffon. Italy meet Spain in the next round (Italy 2 France 0)

Romania's hopes of progressing from the group of death were dashed by the Dutch as they lost 2-0 in their final match. Mutu saw his 24th minute effort for Romania deflected across the face of goal, but Roben came even closer for the Dutch when he slipped the ball past Lobont and the post in the 36th minute. The ball was laid into the path of Codrea with a minute of the half left, but the Romanian fired high over the bar. Four minutes into the 2nd half van Persie skilfully controlled the ball in the box forcing Lobont into a brilliant save with his shot. The Netherlands took the lead in the 54th minute when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar firmly side-footed a low cross into the bottom corner. With 3 minutes left the Dutch sealed Romani's fate when van Persie brought a cross down in the box and smashes it in at the near post. Defeat for Romania sends Italy though in second place. (Netherlands 2 Romania 0)