Spain will have to wait a little longer to avenge their loss to Italy in the 2016 European Championships after committing an unnecessary foul in the final minutes that allowed the hosts to level the score 1-1 in their football World Cup qualifier here.
La Roja embarrassed the Italians in the first half at Turin's Juventus stadium on Thursday, dominating possession by 78 percent to 22 percent and winning nine corners.
The visitors ran rings around the Azzurri, who didn't manage a shot on target in the first 45 minutes, reports Efe.
Spain, however, could not translate their clear superiority into goals and the half ended 0-0.
The Spanish were equally impressive in the opening minutes of the second half and the much-deserved goal came in the 55th minute, though in the least expected way, as veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon came out to cut off a long ball from Sergio Busquets.
The usually rock-solid Gigi whiffed on the clearance and ended up watching from the ground as Vitolo launched the ball into the unguarded net.
The goal was the signal for the Azzurri to abandon their fear-driven conservative strategy and begin pressing.
Spain had a chance to put the match away when Koke delivered the ball to the unguarded Vitolo in front of goal, but the Spaniard flubbed his shot.
From that point on, La Roja found themselves scrambling to contain the Italian onslaught and the disarray in front of their net led to a foul by Sergio Ramos on Eder in the area.
Initially waving off the penalty, referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot after conferring with the line judge and Daniele De Rossi converted with assurance to bring Italy level in the 82nd minute.
--IANS
tri/mr
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