Source: CCTV.com

06-18-2008 13:16

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

World champions Italy have fought their way back from the exit door by beating 10-man France 2-nil on Tuesday.

French defender Eric Abidal (L) tackles Italian forward Luca Toni during the Euro 2008 Championships Group C football match France vs. Italy at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich. Abidal was dismissed after Slovakian referee Michel Lubos gave him a red card. Italy won 2-0.(AFP/Daniel Mihailescu) 
French defender Eric Abidal (L) tackles 
Italian forward Luca Toni during the Euro 
2008 Championships Group C football match 
France vs. Italy at the Letzigrund stadium 
in Zurich. Abidal was dismissed after 
Slovakian referee Michel Lubos gave him 
a red card. Italy won 2-0.(AFP/Daniel Mihailescu) 

The Italian side will now face Spain in the quarterfinal.

France not only lost inspirational playmaker Franck Ribery to a knee injury after only nine minutes but also had defender Eric Abidal sent off for hauling down Luca Toni in the area. Andrea Pirlo converted the resulting penalty in the 25th minute.

Daniele De Rossi made sure of Italy's victory on 62 minutes when his free kick was deflected into the net off the foot of Thierry Henry.