Pirlo's cheeky penalty sums up Italy's mood

In 120 goalless minutes against a poor English side Italy wasted chance after chance on Sunday but the fact they were creative and always tried to win the game bodes well for a nation with a sometimes unjustified reputation for dull play.

Pirlo is 33 but is in the running to be player of the tournament after scoring or setting up all of Italy's goals in Ukraine and Poland while his spot kick in the 4-2 shooutout win had Tweeters and fans raving about his outrageous ability.

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