Group E would be the tightest of them all. The meeting between the Czech Republic and the United States on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen turned into a lopsided affair.
Italy were favorites to advance out of Group 1, but not all went according to plan. The Azzurri got off to a very slow start, opening the group on June 14 with a scoreless draw against Poland at Estadio Municipal de Balaídos in Vigo and a 1–1 result versus Peru four days later at the same venue. It was an inauspicious start, and with just two points it seemed Italy’s chances of advancing had been severely diminished.
Group E was by far the toughest one of the opening round. In fact, Italy, Ireland, Norway, and Mexico were the tournament’s “Group of Death.” Meanwhile, the United States was attempting to avoid becoming the first host nation not to get past the first round. They were pitted against Romania, Switzerland, and Colombia, a team many had predicted could win the tournament. Brazil, Germany, and Argentina, the other three teams favored to capture the World Cup, all had been placed in manageable groups.