Del Piero: most important goal with the national team

Alessandro del Piero says his late goal against Mexico was his 'most important goal with the national team.'

Del Piero scored late on against Mexico to earn Italy a 1-1 draw and a place in the second round of the World Cup.

As it turned out, Croatia's defeat to Ecuador meant Italy would have qualified even had they lost - but Del Piero did not want that to detract from the moment.

He said: "When you finally get out there and score a goal you're happy for the goal itself and also for yourself.

"It's great day for me. The goal was fantastic and the fact that we managed to qualify too."

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni was happy with Del Piero, who is unlikely to start many games unless injury hits the likes of Christian Vieri, Pippo Inzaghi or Vincenzo Montella.

He said: "The players that don't play are often the ones that get the team through. Alex has scored a fantastic goal and has got us through.

"He said he was available to play in any position I wanted him to play - be it on the right or the left or wherever."

Trapattoni added: "[To come back] was a great reaction from the players.

"We created a lot more chances than Mexico and the equaliser was deserved.

"I think that this shows the team are mature, in such a situation they might have lost their heads but they kept going."