Defending champs crash out of FIFA World Cup
Slovakia has now booked a place in the second round.
Robert Vittek's brace put Slovakia in control but Antonio Di Natale halved the deficit and Fabio Quagliarella looked like he had leveled it at 2-2, but an offside decision went against him.
Substitute Kamil Kopunek made it 3-1 to Slovakia before Quagliarella's brilliant lob gave Italy fleeting hope, but they could not find a third to save their skins as they joined fellow 2006 finalists France in sinking out of the tournament at the first hurdle.
Italy team coach, Marcello Lippi has taken all the blame for the Defending Champions dismal performance.
Lippi through a translator told reporters the team was not prepared well.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's FIFA World Cup campaign ended with another draw as they held group winners Paraguay 0-0 but went out of the tournament.
New Zealand finished Group F unbeaten, having drawn with defending champions Italy and a talented Paraguay team who qualified ahead of Argentina in South America.
Slovakia and Paraguay now have qualified for the playoffs from Group F.
Looking at the fixtures that will take place in the second round of competition, Uruguay will take on South Korea, Argentina up against Mexico, England will face Germany and USA playing Ghana.
In the matches that are currently being played, Netherlands are up against Cameroon 2 - 1 while Japan leads Denmark 2 - 1.
Netherlands have already qualified for the playoffs while Denmark needs to beat Japan to qualify for the playoffs.
Japan only needs a draw to progress to the elimination round.
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