Italy Team: Buffon, Zacchardo(Del Piero 54), Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, De Rossi, Perrotta, Pirlo, Totti(Gattusso 35), Gilardino, Toni(Iaquinta 61)

USA Team: Keller, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Onyewu, Pope, Convey(Conrad 52), Mastroeni, Reyna, Donovan, Dempsey(Beasley 62), McBride

Match Report: After two contrasting results in their first group games, where Italy impressed against Ghana, and USA capitulated against Czech Republic, another easy game was predicted for the Italians to stroll into the next round. The reality could not be further from the mark.

USA set out with an obvious determination that was missing from their first outing. Mastroeni was bristling in their midfield, Convey and Dempsey were looking nippy and Reyna, not noted as a hustler was leaving his foot in early challenges. The States definitely looked up for this and quickly threw the Italians off their stride.

Convey was a good outlet down the Left and was soon getting the better of Zacchardo, who did not like playing on the back foot one bit. Mcbride was his usual self, full of endeavour and determination, and although he didn't create any good chances, the Italian defenders new they had to be vigilant. Cannavaro was the only one who appeared to be comfortable.

Convey worked a good position, but was felled just outside the box to give USA a free kick in a good position, but convey's own dead ball clipped the top of the Italian wall and went harmlessly wide. Nevertheless a statement of attacking intent for the USA.

Dempsey looked much more like the player we have heard about, very lively and skillful. A good run from him, including possibly a World Record number of stepovers produced the first real quality delivery that flashed across the Italian box only to be blasted over by Convey.

The Italians had barely been in the game, but eventually their possession began to increase. Pirlo was looking their main threat going forward, along with the full backs who were keen to get forward, but not so good in their distribution when they got there.

A free kick by Pirlo found Gilardino unmarked 6 yards out, and the strikers stooping header found the net. Poor marking from the USA defence. This goal was against the balance of play, and USA were immediately back on the offensive, and minutes later back on terms.

Reyna's delivery from a free kick appeared at first to be harmless as it cleared all the USA men in the box, but a wild attempted clearance by Zachardo sliced the ball into his own net. A disastrous own goal, but no more than the USA deserved.

The Italians then suffered another self inflicted wound as De Rossi produced the ugliest moment of this tounament so far. His blatant and premeditated elbow into the face of McBride got the penalty it deserved. A straight red card, and presumably a hefty ban to follow. It looked for all the world that Italy may now self destruct.

Italy coach Lippi acted quickly to try to negate USA's extra man by removing Totti and introducing Gattuso, a far more defensive player.

A good corner by Convey was headed over by Bocanegra when he should have hit the target. Then Mastroeni shot well from outside the box, dipping one in late to land on top of the net. This was to be the last chance the USA had whilst having the extra man advantage.

Mastroeni lunged in to Pirlo when he really should have stayed on his feet. There was no immediate threat. His tackle was a bad one and produced another red card. It's hard to see fault in the referees decision, as replays showed studs up above the ankle. A silly and unnecessary challenge from Mastroeni.

Now with the sides even again the USA would have to work harder to get the win the wanted, and they still looked more than capable of doing it. Reyna was still producing good work and probing passes, and his combination with Dempsey almost brought a second US goal, but the deflected shot went wide.

The first half ended equal, but USA were definately moral victors.

Half Time: Italy 1 USA 1

USA coach Bruce Arena probably asked for more of the same from his players in the second half. Whether Eddie Pope took the wrong meaning from this, we'll never know, but his sending off after two minutes of the second half really hurt the USA. Another poor challenge which brought a second yellow card, and again it was hard to see another outcome from the ref on this decision.

Gattuso was now beginning to win the fight in midfield, and Pirlo always looked dangerous on the ball. Perrotta got more involved, but the Italy strikers looked off the pace.

Jimmy Conway was brought on by Arena for Bobby Convey, an obvious defensive switch, as the USA would now have to fight with nine men for a draw. Da Marcus Beasley was also introduced as fresh legs for the exhausted Dempsey who had been in perpetual motion for over an hour. Still the USA men looked more up for the fight than the Italians.

A delicious delivery from a Pirlo free kick almost broke the deadlock when Bocanegra, stretching, headed against his own bar. Then at the other end a mazy run by Donovan created space for McBride, but the strikers effort went wide.

The game was well and truly stretched now, and a winner for either side seemed distinctly possible. Perrota was now limping badly and Italy were in effect also down to nine.

Beasley then seemed to have put USA in front when his shot scrambled under a poor dive from Buffon, but McBride was flagged offside in front of the keeper. The correct decision by the linesman.

The final 10 or so minutes was all Italy, with USA hanging on and hoping to snatch a counter attack victory.

Gattuso chipped the square USA back line and Del Piero's volley was well saved by Keller. Another Del Piero shot was well palmed clear by the keeper. Iaquinta broke the offside trap to find he couldn't control the ball on the US penalty spot and Onyewu made a frantic clearance in the dying minutes from a goalmouth scramble. One final chance for Italy came when Gilardino headed wide.

A manic end to an eventful game in which the USA really showed their spine, and which the Italians may regret two huge points dropped. This group is by no means decided yet, and the last round of games will not be for the faint hearted.

Full Time: Italy 1 USA 1
Italy Ratings: Buffon 5, Zacchardo 4(Del Piero 6), Cannavaro 7, Nesta 4, Zambrotta 5, De Rossi 1, Perrotta 5, Pirlo 7, Totti 4(Gattusso 7), Gilardino 4, Toni 4(Iaquinta 6)
Cards: Yellow: Totti, Zambrotta Red: De Rossi
Goal: Gilardino

USA Ratings: Keller 7, Bocanegra 6, Cherundolo 6, Onyewu 6, Pope 4, Convey 7(Conrad 6), Mastroeni 6, Reyna 7, Donovan 6, Dempsey 6(Beasley 6), McBride 6
Cards: Yellow: Pope(2) Red: Pope, Mastroeni
Goal: Zacchardo (O.G)

Referee: J.Larrionda (Uruguay) 5. Got the major decisions right, but lost the plot a bit in the second half.

Good: USA, who were so poor in their first game have restored some pride, and now have everything to play for against Ghana in their final game.

Bad: Italy were poor. After such a good opening game they looked a shadow of themselves. Must improve or the Czech's will put them out of the competition next time out.

Ugly: No doubt about this one. De Rossi and his elbow. Coward - I hope they ban you for the rest of the tournament.