Uruguay win in Italy with Fernandez strike
Reuters - Tuesday 15 November 2011, 23:03
An early goal from Sebastian
Fernandez gave Copa America champions Uruguay a 1-0 win over
Euro 2012 finalists Italy in a friendly on Tuesday.
The Malaga forward steered home his second international
goal in the third minute to inflict a third defeat on Italy
coach Cesare Prandelli since taking charge after the 2010 World
Cup.
The home team's best chances fell to Pablo Osvaldo and Mario
Balotelli in a dominant spell before half-time but the new
attacking duo could not find a way past Fernando Muslera on the
goalkeeper's return to Rome.
Alvaro Pereira was sent off with nine minutes left on the
clock but Uruguay, who thrashed Chile 4-0 in a World Cup
qualifier on Friday, held on.
"This really is a significant win," coach Oscar Tabarez told
reporters. "To beat an historic rival such as Italy away has
finished off a spectacular year for us.
"Italy were good with the ball but our young players have
given their all and shown they are up to the job. Our defence
was strong and that's why they couldn't break through."
Uruguay took the lead on a cold night when Martin Caceres's
right-wing cross reached Fernandez near the penalty spot and the
striker, playing in place of Friday's four-goal hero Luis
Suarez, sidefooted the ball into the corner.
Balotelli, who scored his first goal for Italy in Friday's
friendly win in Poland, almost doubled his account on 17 minutes
when he warmed Muslera's fingers with a blistering strike after
finding space 25 metres out.
Two minutes later Osvaldo was left free at the back post but
the AS Roma striker's header drifted wide.
Osvaldo came close to equalising 10 minutes before half-time
but watched agonisingly as his textbook near-post header from
Andrea Pirlo's corner bounced the wrong side of the far post.
With Italy controlling the game, Balotelli shot weakly at
Muslera after twisting in the box before he headed Federico
Balzaretti's left-wing cross over the bar just before half-time.
Former Lazio goalkeeper Muslera had to pull off a fine
one-handed save at his near post from substitute Simone Pepe 10
minutes after the break before Alessandro Matri volleyed a metre
wide from the edge of the box.
Muslera was again in action as he turned Balzaretti's
close-range effort round the post but despite losing Pereira for
a second caution, Uruguay hung on for victory.
"They are obviously full of confidence, a real team that
knows how to manage a game," said Prandelli. "But I thought we
played well against a team that are South American champions and
were fourth in the World Cup.
"We took it seriously right up to the 95th minute and the
players were very disappointed to lose. Tonight I can say we
have a real team."