Italy were indebted to goalkeeper slot resmi Buffon for earning them a point from a 1-1 draw against Romania that keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old Juventus keeper saved Adrian Mutu’s late penalty as the world champions stuttered against the Group C outsiders.
Italy made five changes to their starting line-up following the 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands and they created the first chance of the match when Alessansdro Del Piero’s close-range header was deflected narrowly wide.
Romania were far more adventurous than in their grim goalless draw with France, and they created a clear opening in the 15th minute when Mutu found himself free down the right only for Buffon to pull off a smart save to deny the Fiorentina striker.
When Italy responded Luca Toni headed wide at the far post but Romania continued to look dangerous and Gabriel Tamas’ long-range free-kick …
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