Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes team work was the key to his side's 2-0 victory over 10-man Czech Republic in Hamburg.

The Azzurri won 2-0 to finish top of Group E and send their opponents crashing out of the tournament.

Marco Materazzi - sent on for the injured Alessandro Nesta - gave the Azzurri a first-half lead but the Italians were made to sweat against the Czechs before another substitute, Filippo Inzaghi, killed the game off four minutes from time.

"It's an important result for so many reasons," admitted Lippi.

"Our aim was to progress to the next round.

"What makes me proud is that my team has shown great unity and strength.

"We have proved that we can be very strong when we row in the same direction."

Lippi was all the more relieved that the win ensured the Azzurri will probably avoid defending champions Brazil in the second round.

"The fact that we have avoided Brazil in the second round is a bonus," he said.

Lippi admitted his side were made to work hard against a strong Czech side, before taking a dig at the Italians' critics.

"It was a very level game until we took the lead," he said.

"Materazzi's goal gave us a big boost in confidence.

"We knew that if we lost we were going home and all of my players have shown great character.

"Unlike what many believe, my team is focused on having a great World Cup, my players know that this opportunity only comes once in a lifetime."

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner believes Jan Polak's sending off in first-half stoppage time put put paid his team's chances.

Polak received his second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time following an unnecessary challenge on Francesco Totti.

"I really cannot understand it," he said.

"It was highly irresponsible from his part and it really hindered his team-mates.

"It's a stupid thing to do, it simply gives your rivals a great advantage and we were made to pay."

Bruckner admitted that his team still had their share of chances but failed to find the finishing touch.

"We didn't manage to take advantage of the set-pieces as we are used to," he said.

And Bruckner concedes that his team were always going to struggle after their 2-0 defeat to Ghana.

"I think we lost the qualification against Ghana not against Italy," he said.

"The team showed a good performance even when playing with 10.

"But the Italians were experienced, they didn't make any mistakes and waited for a good chance to score.

"I have to congratulate them for their victory."