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 Italy top group as Czechs bow out
 Polak's dismissal for a second yellow card undermined the Czechs. SPECIAL REPORT
• Special: World Cup 2006
HAMBURG, Italy -- Italy fought off the stubborn resistance of 10-man Czech Republic to secure a 2-0 victory in Hamburg on Thursday to top Group E. Defender Marco Materazzi scored with a resounding header on 26 minutes before the Czechs had Jan Polak dismissed for two yellow cards. Filippo Inzaghi added a late second. Defeat meant heartbreak for the Czechs who are eliminated despite thrashing the USA 3-0 in their opening game. Playing with only 10 men for the whole of the second half, they were always struggling although Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved forced two fine saves from his teammate Gianluigi Buffon. By contrast, as the Czechs tired, Italy created a string of chances with Francesco Tottie going close and Inzaghi particularly wasteful. But Inzaghi finally made amends as he latched onto a through ball to round Petr Cech and score the deciding second. Italy head a tough section with seven points from three games, followed by Ghana with six points, the Czechs with three and the USA with a single point. Ghana secured their qualification with a 2-1 win over the USA . "This team has terrific spirit, probably the most fighting spirit I have had in any team," said Italian coach Marcelo Lippi. "We deserve to qualify, we played two great games to beat Ghana and Czech Republic, two very difficult teams." By finishing top of the group Italy look likely to avoid meeting champions Brazil in the second round. "Finishing first was important for lots of reasons but even if we had to play them (Brazil) we would have given it our best shot," said Lippi. The Czechs had been dominant in the early stages and as in the second half, Buffon twice denied the never-say-die Nedved. The Italians were forced into making a substitution in the 17th minute when central defender Alessandro Nesta limped off feeling his groin. Materazzi came on and nine minutes later the Inter Milan hardman put Italy ahead. Totti swung over a corner from the right and Materazzi jumped above his marker to plant a firm, downward header past Cech. The Czechs' task of overhauling Italy was made even harder when Polak was shown the red card in stoppage time of the first half after receiving a second booking for tackling Totti from behind. Czech coach Karel Brueckner said his side were up against it after the dismissal. "Playing with 10 men was just too difficult today," said Brueckner. "We lost a lot of players before the game and had suspensions which hurt us in this tournament. It is too early to assess and think about what might happen in the future." 
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