"I'm very, very happy, I'm very satisfied. They are one of the superpowers of football. I think this is unique what the Korean players have done so far. The dream is going on because we have set another record for South Korea. I am very happy with the boys who had a difficult time in the first half against such an experienced team. After the first half the players started to cope with Italy and at the end we could dominate. The players are so happy in the locker room and I am glad we could make it for the Korean people."

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni insisted that his team deserved to beat South Korea. "We had many more chances but Korea played with their heart. It was a beautiful match but the winner should have been Italy. Unfortunately, this World Cup for Italy started by going downhill. I've seen certain things which have penalised us. Today we played a good game. I'd say we're going out with our heads held high but with a lot to be bitter about.

"It was an emotional, beautiful, game. We had far, far more goalscoring chances than Korea but Korea showed heart. We had a lot of good situations. We had a player sent off - I don't know why. We played with enthusiasm. We had three of four chances to wrap up the match, we had a chance for a golden goal from Gattuso and from Vieri at the end of normal time. Perhaps we should have finished the game with those opportunities. That's football, but I think that if one of these teams should have gone to the quarters it should have been us, given what we did in this competition up until now.

"You have all seen the match. We started the World Cup with certain negative situations, and things have not changed from match to match. In fact, we are going out in a bad way. Even the Fifa delegates that I know were incredulous. I don't speak of a conspiracy, but certainly of negative situations. These linesmen are incapable. The boys have done a great job and we have shown that we are a great squad. A moment like this I have not experienced before. I have not cried tears but my heart is crying."

Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro

"I think it is a disgrace. We talk of our referees but that one today was really disappointing, it was harsh. It is an unfair elimination because this squad has given everything. Tommasi's goal was legal and Totti's sending-off was unnecessary."

Bruno Pizzul, Italy's most famous commentator told state television RAI immediately after the game