Italy bagged the bronze medals at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup after trashing Uruguay 3-2 on penalties at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador in the third place playoff on Sunday.
The drama-filled match ended 2-2 after extra time and the Azzurri, thanks to three saves in the shootout from goalkeeper and Captain Gianluigi Buffon, came out victorious in a post-match penalty shootout.
Italy took the lead midway through the first half. Alessandro Diamanti’s free kick rebounded off the inside of the far post, struck the back of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and was tucked home on the line by Davide Astori. Uruguay drew level 13 minutes into the second half, with Napoli striker Edinson Cavani receiving a reverse pass into the penalty area before opening up his body to slide a shot beyond the reach of Buffon. The match went to an extra 30 minutes where Italy’s penalty shoot out begged them the bronze medal.
