Gritty Italy pip Uruguay in shoot-out

Italy took third place at the Confederations Cup on Sunday after beating Uruguay 3-2 on penalties, the pair having been locked at 2-2 following extra time in Salvador. Although the eyes of 200 million Brazilians were fixed on an evening final between the hosts and world champions Spain, Italian and Uruguayan fans converged on the northern city for the bronze medal which Italy carried off after skipper Gianluigi Buffon saved spot-kicks from Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano.

Despite the early afternoon heat both sides turned in an entertaining contest as the Italians, edged out in the semi-finals by Spain - also on penalties - came past rivals who had bowed to the Brazilians in their semi. Alessandro Diamanti looked to have won the game in normal time at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium when he swept in a curling free-kick just inside Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera’s left-hand post in the 73rd minute.

But Edinson Cavani crashed in a stunning free-kick of his own with 12 minutes remaining of normal time to level at 2-2 as the South Americans fought to end a poor run of six losses in seven bronze medal matches at World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup tournaments.  The extra half hour could not separate the sides and so the 12-yard test decided the contest. AFP