ITALY v USA - MATCH REPORT
Toby Higgins

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The USA and Italy battled out a thrilling draw, in which three players were sent off, to leave the group finely poised going the final games.

Italy took the lead in the 22nd minute, when Alberto Gilardino beat a static States defence to head past Kasey Keller with easy, after his marker Eddie Pope had failed to play him offside.

But the States were level within five minutes when Italian full back Christian Zaccardo inexplicably misjudged a free kick to slice into his own net, beyond the bewildered Gianluigi Buffon.

And the game looked to be swinging in America's favour when Daniele De Rossi was dismissed for deliberately elbowing striker Brian McBride in the most cynical and vicious act committed by any player in this tournament so far. After the striker returned to the field having received several stitches, the USA looked set to dominate.

But on the stroke of half time, States midfielder Pablo Mastroeni mistimed a two-footed tackle on Italian Andrea Pirlo, and he too was dismissed, meaning both sides began the second half with ten men each.

Just two minutes into the second half, Eddie Pope received a second yellow card for the USA and was sent off, leaving the USA's nine men to hang on against the ten of Italy for most of the second half.

As Italy began to dominate, the USA thought they had scored an unlikely winner, when a Damarcus Beasley shot bounced tamely over Buffon, but the goal was ruled out as McBride was adjudged to be interfering with play whilst in an offside position.

But that proved to be America's final attacking contribution, as they brought all nine men behind the ball to try and hang on to their first point of this summers World Cup, and thanks to smart saves from Keller to deny substitute Alessandro Del Piero, they did, while Italy effectively finished the game with nine men themselves as the injured Simone Perrotta was forced to continue with Italy having used all three substitutes.

Italy know that a draw in their final group game with the Czech Republic will guarantee them a place in the second round, while the USA must beat Ghana and hope that Italy win if they are to make the knockout phase.

Man of the Match: Andrea Pirlo - the midfield ace orchestrated the game, and found much more space to show his ability once the USA went down to nine men. Like most, he tired towards the end, but his cunning through ball for Del Piero almost lead to the winner.

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Venue: Fritz-Walter Stadion
Attendance: 46,000
Referee: Jorge Larrionda

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