Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon was the difference as the Azzurri took third place at the Confederations Cup after beating Uruguay 3-2 on penalties, the pair having been locked at 2-2 following extra time in Salvador.
Although the eyes of 200 million Brazilians were fixed on an evening final between the hosts and world champions Spain, Italian and Uruguayan fans converged on the northern city yesterday for the bronze medal which Italy carried off after skipper Buffon saved spot-kicks from Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano.
He promptly slammed critics back home who had wondered why he was not able to stop any of Spain's seven penalties in the semi-final.
"These things only happen in Italy - people have a short memory there," raged Buffon after the 34-year-old turned in heroics to seal victory.
"I showed my critics," he added. "Today was a tough match and I had a lot to do out there," added the veteran shot-stopper.
Despite the early afternoon heat both sides turned in an entertaining contest as the Italians, edged out in the semi-finals by Spain - also on penalties - came past rivals who had bowed to the Brazilians in their semi.
Alessandro Diamanti looked to have won the game in normal time at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium when he swept in a curling free-kick just inside Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera's left-hand post in the 73rd minute.
But Edinson Cavani crashed in a stunning free-kick of his own with 12 minutes remaining of normal time to level at 2-2 as the South Americans fought to end a poor run of six losses in seven bronze medal matches at World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup tournaments.
