KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — In a World Cup increasingly influenced by referees, a questionable penalty sent Italy into the quarterfinals over a surprisingly stout Australia with a 1-0 victory Monday.

From Buffon to Cannavaro to Gattuso to Del Piero, from haircuts to concerts to resting places to a mad dash, this is the statistical story of Italy’s triumph at Germany 2006. It may sound about right ...