Outclassed Italy steals late draw against dominant Spain

Turin - Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi levelled from the spot eight minutes from time as Italy grabbed a lucky point in a 1-1 World Cup 2018 qualifying draw with dominant Spain on Thursday.

Italy's 2-0 defeat of La Roja at the European Championship this year ended Spanish hopes of challenging for a record third consecutive title.

But only three months on, and in spite of failing to win, the former world champion appeared to be back with a bang.

Italy was outclassed throughout a one-sided performance at Juventus Stadium, where Spain enjoyed 77 percent possession in the opening half.

It took only 10 minutes of the second half for the Azzurri defence to buckle, 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon rushing out to close down Vitolo when he ran on to Sergio Busquets' through ball and completely missed it.

Vitolo slid the ball into an empty net on 55 minutes but spurned a great chance to put the match beyond reach soon after.

Spain was fully deserving of victory, but when Inter Milan striker Eder fell under slight contact by Sergio Ramos following a great low cross by second-half substitute Andrea Belotti, Italy was awarded a penalty.

De Rossi stepped up to send David De Gea the wrong way.

Italy spurned a great chance to snatch the win in the end when Ciro Immobile, a late and effective substitute for the ineffective Graziano Pelle, flashed a drive across the goalmouth that found no takers.

The result means Italy protected its record of never losing a World Cup qualifier at home.

Only the group winners automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and with Albania, Israel, Macedonia and Liechtenstein included Italy is expected to battle Spain for top spot.

On this performance, the Azzurri will be up against it when they face Spain away next year.