Buffon may eventually laugh about goalkeeping gaffe vs. Spain

Italy goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon has reacted to his unusual blunder that gifted Spain's opener in Thursday's 2018 World Cup qualifier, saying he might eventually see the funny side.

The national team skipper is widely regarded as one of the best football has ever seen between the sticks, but did his best Simon Mignolet impression after 55 minutes of the highly anticipated meeting.

Buffon charged out towards an encroaching Vitolo, but soon went from favourite in the challenge to being red-faced and parked on his backside as the ball rolled over the line 20 yards behind him.

"In 18 months, I might think back on it and laugh," Buffon said post-match.

"If it happens again in two or 20 days, I'll laugh less. The trouble was I had too many ideas in my mind on how to kick the ball. I was afraid of kicking it straight at Vitolo, so I thought of passing it to a defender and in the middle I opened my foot too much for that complete mess."

Related - De Rossi defends Buffon: Best 'keeper in history can make mistakes too

After being on the back foot for much of the tie, Vitolo's easy finish acted as a wake-up call for the Azzurri. Substitutes Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti made decent introductions, before Daniele De Rossi struck the equaliser from the penalty spot on 82 minutes.

"We managed to get the game back on track and my teammates were incredible, because after the goal we found a physical and psychological vehemence to get on level terms," Buffon said.

The result leaves Italy in third after one win and one draw to begin Group G. Its next tilt comes Sunday, when Giampiero Ventura's ranks travel to first-placed Albania.

Buffon added: "After going behind, we proved that we could control the match and cause Spain huge problems. We must build from that fightback towards the World Cup."