Yet from Trapattoni's reaction anyone would think Italy had been run close.
Only the best is acceptable for Italy's football-crazy public.
And the coach knew that his team's 0-0 draw away to Lithuania in their penultimate game - when victory would have meant automatic qualification - had not been well received.
That result left the Azzuri requiring a win or draw against Hungary in October 2001 to go through to the finals.
Alessandro del Piero scored with a free kick in the last minute of the first half, the necessary result was in the bag and Trapattoni could relax.
The former AC Milan, Inter Milan and Fiorentina boss had not enjoyed the best start to the qualification process.
Italy drew 2-2 in Hungary, two goals from Filippo Inzaghi not proving enough for victory.
They got off the mark in their next game as goals from Inzaghi, Marco Delvecchio and Francesco Totti despatched Romania 3-0 in Milan.