Three sent off as USA hold Azzurri

Italy emerged with a share of the points after an action-packed game against the USA that saw two goals and three red cards. The Azzurri were reduced to ten when Daniele De Rossi was sent off, but took an unlikely numerical advantage as Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope were both dismissed for the USA.

Zaccardo error
Alberto Gilardino gave Italy the lead at the midpoint of the first half, stooping to glance a header past Kasey Keller after the American offside trap broke down on an Andrea Pirlo free-kick. The match swung in the USA's direction in two dramatic minutes when Cristian Zaccardo sliced a wild clearance into his own net, then Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi was sent off for use of an elbow on Brian McBride.

Pope dismissed
Bruce Arena's side had just 15 minutes with an extra man, before Mastroeni went in late on Pirlo two minutes before the break and was also shown a red card by referee Jorge Larrionda. The drama resumed just two minutes into the second half, when Pope picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Gilardino and the USA were reduced to nine men, making the match the third in FIFA World Cup history to feature three red cards.

Beasley effort
A second own goal almost came on 52 minutes when Carlos Bocanegra headed a Pirlo free-kick onto his own crossbar. Twelve minutes later the depleted Americans thought they were in front when a DaMarcus Beasley shot squirmed past Gianluigi Buffon, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Brian McBride. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero came agonizingly close to restoring the lead when he latched onto a scooped Pirlo through-ball, but Keller made a one-handed save at full stretch.