Early goal gives Italy 1-0 lead over Ukraine

HAMBURG, June 30 (Reuters) A sixth-minute goal from Gianluca Zambrotta gave Italy a 1-0 halftime lead against Ukraine in their World Cup quarter-final today.

The defender's strike from the edge of the area went through Ukraine defender Andriy Rusol's legs and past goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky into the bottom corner of the net, giving him only his second goal in 56 appearances for Italy.

In what looked like a tactical switch, Ukraine brought on a forward for a defender halfway through the first half, replacing Vyacheslav Svidersky with Andriy Vorobei.

Ukraine hardly threatened in a rather low-key first half with even feared striker Andriy Shevchenko making little impression against a solid Italian defence.

The winners will face Germany in the semi-finals.

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