 Although Baggio converted his penalty Italy's first –, the shootout was won by the host nation; as such, Italy were eliminated from a World Cup on penalties for the third consecutive time.Italy's coach, was criticised for starting the recovering Del Piero ahead of Baggio, and for not allowing the two players to play alongside each other.Despite rumours that the substitutions had created a rivalry between the players, Baggio and Del Piero remain friends.