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Italy beat Uruguay in shootout to take third place

agencies SALVADOR, 30 JUNE:  Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties as an under-strength Italy edged Uruguay 3-2 in a penalty shootout…

agencies
SALVADOR, 30 JUNE:  Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties as an under-strength Italy edged Uruguay 3-2 in a penalty shootout 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. 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 and Cavani scored his first in the 58th.
Diamanti restored Italy’s lead in the 73rd and Cavani drew Uruguay level again five minutes later, with both late goals coming from free kicks.
The extra half hour could not separate the sides and so the 12-yard test decided the contest.
Forlan – who also missed in the semi against Brazil – fluffed the first kick and though Cavani and Luis Suarez netted it was not enough as Alberto Aquilani, Stephan El Shaarawy and Emanuele Giaccherini found the net.

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