Arrivederci, Italia.

The defending champions crashed out of the World Cup on Thursday as debutants Slovenia won the swim-or-sink game 3-2 to book a second round ticket in Johannesburg.

Japan joined Group E leaders the Netherlands in last 16 after thumping Denmark 3-1 in a fast-tempo game which saw Japanese midfielder Yasuhito Endo bend like David Beckham.

The dramatic loss of the Azzurri took life away from soccer-crazy Italy as people in Rome and Milan poured out of pubs and walked home in shock.

"It's worse than with Korea," lamented the Italian newspaper Republic, recalling the shock exit at the hands of DPR Korea in 1966.

Robert Vittek's double put Slovakia in control in Ellis Park Stadium before Antonio Di Natale closed the gap and Fabio Quagliarella looked like he had grabbed an equalizer, but an offside decision went against him.

Kamil Kopunek left the bench to send Slovakia 3-1 ahead before Quagliarella's heavy strike gave Italy the slimmest hope, but a third goal never happened and the four-time winners joined 1998 champions France in the list of big-name losers.

Slovakia must win to go through while Italy also required three points to guarantee a place in the knockout phase. A draw would likely prove enough for the Italians if Paraguay beat New Zealand in the other Group F game in Bolokwane, which turned out to be a goalless tie.

Italian misery started as Daniele De Rossi's pass was snatched by Erik Jendrisek just outside the Italian box. He promptly found Vittek and the Slovakian fired into the bottom corner in the 25th minute.

A fired-up Vittek doubled the lead from close range in the 73rd following a corner.

Italy pulled one back with nine minutes to go after a quick one-two by Vincenzo Iaquinta and Fabio Quagliarella. When Jan Mucha parried out a sure goal, Di Natale was on hand to hit the ball in.