Spain won the closely encountered game with substitute striker David Villa scoring the winner in the mid second-half.
Both teams started with 5-man midfield with Fernando Torres playing the lone striker for Spain and Luca Toni for Italy. The rumours about Donadoni dropping the AC Milan pair of Gatusso and Ambrosini from the starting line-up proved true as both players have had been mediocre this season and was promply replaced by the in form Roma players Simone Perotta and Danielle De Rossi. Pirlo kept his place in the squad as his game has improved in the last few weeks with the other inform Roma player Alberto Aquilani on the bench. No doubt both teams possess the best two goalkeepers in the world at the moment and it was Buffon who had to make to good saves in the first half from Torres and a Cesc Fabregas shot. Bad news for Barcelona though as Carlos Puyol had to be removed from Spain and was replaced by Albiol of Valencia.
The second half started better for Italy with Camoranesi hitting the crossbar with Iker Casillas well beaten on that ocassion. Panucci and Camoranesi had other chances wasted whereas Fabregas had a shot from close range saved by Buffon. The Italian defenders were doing well but then a Cannavaro clearance fell straight to the Valencia hitman who fired home from 18 yards into the top corner leaving Buffon no chance. Italy pushed for an equaliser but no luck and Spain held firm for their 5th successive clean sheet.
