Italy finishes 3rd after shootout win
Source: Agencies |
July 2, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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GIANLUIGI Buffon saved three penalties as an under-strength Italy edged Uruguay 3-2 in a shootout on Sunday to secure third place at the Confederations Cup following a 2-2 draw after extra time.
It was a measure of redemption for Italy after a loss to Spain, also in a shootout, in the semifinals.
"The main thing tonight was our character. We showed fantastic character. We never gave up," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said.
This shootout capped an entertaining match at the Arena Fonte Nova, where Alessandro Diamanti scored one goal and set up another for Italy and Edinson Cavani equalized twice for Uruguay.
Italy defender Davide Astori opened the scoring in the 24th minute after Diamanti's freekick rattled the post and Cavani equalized for Uruguay in the 58th with an angled shot. Diamanti restored Italy's lead in the 73rd with another freekick that went in directly but not to be outdone Cavani drew Uruguay level again five minutes later with an equally splendid freekick of his own.
Uruguay has now lost seven of eight bronze-medal matches at the World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup, including a loss to Germany at the 2010 World Cup.
In the shootout, the 35-year-old Buffon set the tone by stopping the first shot in the shootout from Diego Forlan, then also saved from Martin Caceres before smothering Walter Gargano's effort to end the game.
It was a measure of redemption for Italy after a loss to Spain, also in a shootout, in the semifinals.
"The main thing tonight was our character. We showed fantastic character. We never gave up," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said.
This shootout capped an entertaining match at the Arena Fonte Nova, where Alessandro Diamanti scored one goal and set up another for Italy and Edinson Cavani equalized twice for Uruguay.
Italy defender Davide Astori opened the scoring in the 24th minute after Diamanti's freekick rattled the post and Cavani equalized for Uruguay in the 58th with an angled shot. Diamanti restored Italy's lead in the 73rd with another freekick that went in directly but not to be outdone Cavani drew Uruguay level again five minutes later with an equally splendid freekick of his own.
Uruguay has now lost seven of eight bronze-medal matches at the World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup, including a loss to Germany at the 2010 World Cup.
In the shootout, the 35-year-old Buffon set the tone by stopping the first shot in the shootout from Diego Forlan, then also saved from Martin Caceres before smothering Walter Gargano's effort to end the game.
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