Not surprisingly, rival coaches Marcello Lippi and Guus Hiddink had very different opinions of the penalty that saw Italy snatch an injury-time winner against Australia in Kaiserslautern yesterday.

While Lippi saw it as "an absolutely certain penalty", his opposite number defined the all-crucial decision as "disputed" and added: "It was the worst possible way to go out."

Both coaches, however, were well satisfied with their team's performance, Lippi praising his side's ability to hold their nerve when playing almost the entire second half a man down. Likewise, Hiddink praised his side's attitude, saying his pride in his players mitigated the disappointment of an injury-time defeat.

Asked about the controversial penalty, Lippi had no doubts: "We were in the third minute of time added on, after playing the whole half a man down, and we still pulled out that great final move when Grosso beat two players, got into their area and then was taken down for an absolutely certain penalty. I call that terrific football.

"And then, of course, Totti scored his penalty with real bravura."

Needless to say, Hiddink did not quite see it the same way: "Of course, we're disappointed because we went so close but I can be proud of the way they played. I think this is the way the world loves to see a team play.

"Even if I have my doubts about the disputed penalty, I can still be very proud of my boys and the way they have performed throughout this World Cup and again this afternoon against one of the powerhouses of Europe. I think we controlled and dominated and we have only ourselves to blame if we could not deliver the final, killer pass."

Lippi admitted he had prepared his side to face a rugged, athletic and physical Australian team, saying: "Before this game, we were worried by the Australians, their pace, their hard-running, and for that reason we set out to show them a lot of respect. If a side has got this far in the tournament, then it has to have qualities.

"Yet, we did so well that in the first half we didn't allow them even half a shot on goal and they were never in our area. At the same time, in that period, we had four clear chances through Toni and Gilardino.

"Even when we were 10 against 11 for almost the whole second half, they didn't bother us that much, and on those few occasions that we went forward on the attack, we caused them problems.

"After Materazzi was sent off, we were forced to defend 10 against 11, which is never simple. But it was then, if you will allow me, that we were well organised and conceded very little to them."

Lippi added: "Now I think we can go a long way in this tournament."

Hiddink argued that the biggest difference between the two teams was reflected in Italy's ability to take their chances while his own team lacked the killer instinct.

"I think if you analyse this game, the big difference is that we tried to play attractive football, but in the end you have to get a result out of your attractive football, and they have much more of a killer instinct in the area than us," said Hiddink.

Australia's coach, in his last game in charge before moving on to take over Russia, had one final message of hope for the folks Down Under: "I loved working with these guys and I hope we have done something important for Australian football."