Coming late to this, seeing as I've been away from the 'net for the last week or so. As a nuetral, I thought that was a heartbreaking decision, and you have my sympathy for losing that way. I don't think that it was a dive, though. The Italian fell over the defender, he didn't dive. And I've watched the replay a number of times, and I can see how the ref might have given a penalty. You can see Neill bring his leg across just as the striker runs into him. Ironically, he's trying to get out of the way, but it could have looked like he's making contact with that leg - which would be a definite penalty.
So I think it was a bad decision, but I understand why the ref made it.
As for deserving to win the game: maybe
- you had all the posession, but fewer shots on goal, and you didn't really look like scoring as far as I can remember. I very much doubt you would have won in a penalty shoot out against Buffon. So it was a tragic way to lose, but I think you would have lost anyway.
That said: you've earned a huge amount of respect. I've been surprised by how well the Aussies did, and especially by how well they did as a team. Your fans have been great as well. You even managed to get most of New Zealand cheering for you, which has to be some kind of a first.
So well done Aussie, and hopefully you can build on this result for next time