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0 vs 1
Played
November 15, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee:‬ Duarte Nuno Pereira Gomes‎
 
Top of the Match
Néstor Muslera Micol
Néstor Muslera Micol
Uruguay
Néstor Muslera Micol
Néstor Muslera Micol
Uruguay
Flop of the Match
Riccardo Montolivo
Riccardo Montolivo
Italy
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli
Italy

Italy 0-1 Uruguay: Wasteful Azzurri defeated courtesy of Seba Fernandez's early strike

The Malaga forwards early strike proves the winner as the hosts fail to make most of their opportunities

By Adam Wheeler

Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Tuesday nights international friendly

An early goal from Sebastian Fernandez was enough to see off Cesare Prandelli's men who wasted numerous opportunites to equalize.

The hosts started the game brightly and could have gone ahead in the first minute. A neat chip from Claudio Marchisio fell to Mario Balotelli but the young striker was denied by Fernando Muslera.

However, it was only moments later when the visitors would take the lead, Martin Caceres found some space on the right flank before his low cross found Fernandez, who made no mistake to give the Copa America holders the lead.

The home side was now dominating the possession and came close to equalizing twice in minutes, with Balotelli’s long-range effort denied by the impressive Muslera before Dani Osvaldo headed wide following a great cross from Cristian Maggio.

The game then slowed down with chances at a premium. However, just before halftime the hosts went close as Andrea Pirlo’s cross was met by Osvaldo but the Roma striker’s header sailed just past the post.

The second half began as a real end-to-end affair, with Gianluigi Buffon forced into action to deny Edison Cavani, before Muslera pulled of another great save to deny substitute Simone Pepe.

As the game went on the hosts were still pushing for the equalizer with Maggio’s drive from the right side of the box flying just past the post before substitute Alessandro Matri long

Then with just over 10 minutes to go, the Italians missed a great oppurtuntity to level the tie, with Muslera producing an outstanding save to deny Federico Balzaretti hooked effort, after a neat ball from Daniele De Rossi.

The away side managed to hang onto their slender lead despite going down to ten men, when in the 81st minute Alvaro Pereira saw red for a handball just outside the area.

This result sees Uruguay remain unbeaten in its last 13 matches, while Italy loses its first game since the shock 2-0 defeat to the Republic Of Ireland back in June.

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Italy

1
Gianluigi Buffon
Goalkeeper
3.0
3
3.0
23
2.5
42
2.5
11
3.0
21
Andrea Pirlo
Midfielder
3.0
-
Riccardo Montolivo
Midfielder
46′
2.5
8
Claudio Marchisio
Midfielder
82′
2.5
16
Daniele De Rossi
Midfielder
2.5
45
3.5
9
Pablo Osvaldo
Striker
65′
3.0

Uruguay

3.5
25
3.0
2
3.0
15
Diego Lugano
Defender
34′ 46′
3.0
5
Alvaro Pereira
Midfielder
26′ 81′
3.0
2
3.0
14
3.0
16
Egidio Arévalo
Midfielder
3.0
15
Diego Pérez
Midfielder
51′
3.0
7
3.0
7

Substitutes

7
Simone Pepe
Midfielder
46′
3.5
32
3.0
7
-

Substitutes

3.0
16
-
19
A. Scotti
Defender
93′
3.0
8
Sebastián Eguren
Midfielder
51′
-
15
Alvaro González
Midfielder
84′
-
30

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Oleh Husyev Oleh Husyev
Midfielder
Ukraine
4 2
Michael Mifsud Michael Mifsud
Striker
Malta
4 0
Carlos Ruiz Gutierrez Carlos Ruiz Gutierrez
Striker
Guatemala
4 0
Mohir Shukurov Mohir Shukurov
Midfielder
Azerbaijan
3 2
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Netherlands
3 1