Buffon Brilliance

Sun Herald

Sunday June 15, 2008

By Mark Meadows Zurich

ITALY 1

ROMANIA 1

GIANLUIGI BUFFON saved a late Adrian Mutu penalty to earn world champions Italy a 1-1 draw with Romania in Zurich.

Striker Mutu put Romania ahead 10 minutes into the second half after Gianluca Zambrotta's poor back header, but Italy hit back immediately when Christian Panucci prodded the ball in on the line.

Italy, humbled 3-0 by Netherlands in their opening Group C game on Monday, will feel hard done by after striker Luca Toni had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside before the interval. He headed in from close range and television replays showed he was clearly behind the last defender when Zambrotta played the ball into the packed box.

Italy made five changes from the Dutch debacle, with striker Alessandro Del Piero coming in and captaining the side.

They also switched to a 4-3-1-2 formation and were much more vibrant, creating several chances in the air.

Italy 1 (Christian Panucci '56) drew with Romania 1 (Adrian Mutu '55). Missed penalty: Adrian Mutu '81. Half-time: 0-0; Attendance: 30,585

© 2008 Sun Herald

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