Italy and Brazil met again in one of football's most famous fixtures this evening, playing out a thrilling match that ended 2-2.
Italy dominated the first half but found themselves 2-0 down at the halfway stage following breakway goals by Fred and Oscar.
Daniele De Rossi pulled one back for the Azzurri in the second half before Mario Balotelli levelled the sides with a fine long range strike just minutes later.
Both sides had chances to win it, but neither could find a way through as the match ended level.
You can read how a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes sped by with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what promises to be a thrilling match between two of world football's most prestigious teams - Italy and Brazil!
TEAM NEWS: This may only be a friendly, but there are plenty of big guns on show today for both sides. Italy have the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and a certain Mario Balotelli playing, while Brazil include Dani Alves, Hulk and Neymar in their starting lineup. Full team news coming right up.
ITALY STARTING XI: Buffon; Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, De Sciglio; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Balotelli, Osvaldo
BRAZIL STARTING XI: Júlio César; Dani Alves, David Luiz, Dante, Filipe Luís; Fernando, Hernanes; Oscar; Hulk, Fred, Neymar
I told you that there was plenty of talent on show! For Italy, the man pulling all the strings will, as ever, be Andrea Pirlo. The playmaker is among the world's best when on form and could prove to be the difference this evening. Alongside him in midfield is Daniele De Rossi, who can also be a match-winner in his own right.
I don't need to tell you anything about Mario Balotelli, but I will anyway. The former Manchester City striker can be almost unplayable when at his best but, at the same time, can be impossible to play with when he is at his worst. Playing against Brazil, and all the expectation that comes with the most famous footballing nation on earth, may bring out the best in him, however. He will want to prove himself against the biggest teams, and they don't come much bigger than Brazil.
Speaking of Brazil, they have a plethora of talent in their ranks too. Julio Cesar may be at struggling QPR but he is still a top class keeper, and the four in front of him are more than capable of providing adequate protection. The likes of Hernanes and Oscar in midfield should provide an intriguing battle against Italy's midfield men, so keep an eye out for that.
When Brazil play, however, the emphasis is always on attack, so how do they shape up in that sense? Well, Hulk was rated as one of the hottest properties in Europe while at Porto and, while his move to Zenit St Petersburg has taken him out of the limelight somewhat, he still possess great quality. Fred has been banging the goals in for Fluminense back in Brazil too.
Most attention will be directed at Neymar I suspect. The tricky forward has been mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but doubts still persist over how effective he will be against European defences. There is no doubting his skill level, but Italy are as good as they come defensively so this will be a big challenge for him.
This match really is a clash between contrasting styles of play. The Italians put a lot of emphasis on defensive strength while the Brazilians love nothing more than attacking flair. It will be interesting to see which system comes out on top this evening.
According to the FIFA rankings, Italy should win this fairly comfortably. They are ranked as the fifth best team in the world, while Brazil are way down in 18th - below the likes of Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Switzerland. However, those rankings should be taken with a pinch of salt to say the least. If you're wondering why Brazil are so far down, it is largely to do with a lack of competitive matches. They do not have to qualify for the upcoming World Cup as they are hosting it.
PREDICTION: Friendlies are always difficult to predict, especially international ones. I expect a good game, though, and am going to go for a Brazilian win. I think that they have the more balanced side and will come out on top. 3-2 to the boys from South America.
There is plenty of history between these two sides, of course. They have met in no less than two World Cup finals - one of which was probably the best final ever and the other the worst! Brazil won both, although the first was much more memorable. The 1970 team containing the likes of Pele and Jairzinho swept Italy aside to win 4-1 in what is regarded as one of the finest international performances ever. The 1994 final, on the other hand ended 0-0 and had to go to penalties. Brazil won after Roberto Baggio infamously skied his spot kick.
These two also met in what some consider to be the best World Cup match of all time. The 1982 Brazilian side is one of the best teams to never win the trophy, and they have Italy to blame for not doing so. A team containing the likes of Socrates and Zico came up against Italy, who triumphed 3-2 courtesy of a Paolo Rossi hat-trick.
Overall, these two sides have played each other eight times, with Italy winning on just two occasions. Brazil have won five, including that win on penalties in 1994, while there has been one draw.
Back to the present day, and hopefully we will see another classic match between these two titans of world football tonight. There is certainly the quality on show to provide plenty of goals!
We're just about ready to go here at the Stade de Geneve.
Here we go! Brazil get us underway and immediately look to set about the Italians, pressing them as soon as they lose the ball.
Early half chance for Italy as Osvaldo gets behind the defence. David Luiz gets back to block his shot, but that was far too easy for the Italians.
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SAVE! This match has started at a very fast pace! Giaccherini cuts inside and fires towards the near post, but Julio Cesar gets a strong hand to push it wide for a corner. Very bright start by Italy and Brazil look rattled. Good save from Cesar, though.
SAVE! It's Buffon's turn to put in a solid save. Neymar picks the ball up and runs straight at the Italy defence, bursting forward with superb pace. He gets a shot away on the edge of the box, but it's at a nice height for Buffon, who pushes it to safety.
SAVE! This is more like a basketball match at the moment! Italy come forward and Balotelli latches on to a high ball over the defence. Dani Alves is caught upfield so Luiz has to come across, but he can't stop the shot and Cesar is forced into making another good save.
Balotelli gets a lucky bounce but makes the most of it by clipping a fine cross into the box. It should be easy for Alves, but he looks less than comfortable with Osvaldo behind him and bundles it back to Cesar.
Balotelli is onvolved again as he feeds Pirlo in the middle. The Juventus man tries to dink a first time pass over the defence to Osvaldo, but it is too close to Cesar.
This one has slowed down a bit in the last few moments but I would be surprised if it stays at 0-0 for long. Both sides are putting all of their emphasis on attack.
CLOSE! Balotelli picks the ball up on the left and immediately cuts inside and look to shoot. He does make space for himself before trying to steer an effort into the bottom right corner, but Luiz gets an important foot to it and the effort goes out for a corner.
Italy are definitely on top at the moment. Osvaldo picks the ball up about 25 yards from goal after Brazil had carelessly given it away. He tries an audacious chip from the edge of the box but gets it all wrong and it bobbles safely through to Cesar.
Montolivo is penalised for coming through the back of Dani Alves and Brazil have a free kick about 30 yards from goal...
Fernando winds himself up and lashes a shot goalwards. It is not a bad effort by any means, flashing a yard or two wide of Buffon's post, but it would've had to be a special strike to beat a keeper of Buffon's quality from there.
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SHOT! Balotelli is heavily involved in this game at the moment, and he is having a positive impact. He finds space to cross again, picking out Osvaldo in the box but the Italy striker couldn't do enough with his header to threaten Cesar's goal.
CHANCE! Big chance for Italy to take the lead in this one! A fine ball over the top sees Maggio steal in behind the defence. He takes it in his stride very well but should do better with his finish. He scuffs his shot, making it easy for Cesar to make another save. Italy are having a lot of joy down the wings at the moment.
Hulk wins a corner for Brazil by drilling a low cross against a defender. We are yet to really see Brazil in an attacking sense in this game. Neymar has given us a flash of his pace and skill, but not enough.
David Luiz is penalised for coming straight through the back of Balotelli as Italy threatened to break. Luiz is Brazil's captain today, which is a brave choice by Scolari!
It's not hard to see why Italy have had such joy down the flanks in this opening 26 minutes or so. Brazil are pretty much playing a 4-2-4 formation, which looks more like a 2-4-4 when the wingbacks get forward!
SHOT! It all opens up for Montolivo about 30 yards from goal and he only has one thing on his mind. His teammates want a pass but he goes for goal, cutting across his shot which swings harmlessly wide. Wayward effort, but worth a go.
There is no doubt that the opening half an hour has belonged to Italy. They really should be one or two up, but Brazil have Julio Cesar to thank for still being level.
As I say that, Brazil break free on a counter attack and threaten for the first time. Hulk gives it to Fred, who in turn moves it on to Alves storming down the right. The Barcelona man slips a nice pass into Oscar in the box and the midfielder puts a very dangerous cross into the six yard box, but there is no-one gambling and the danger passes.
GOAL! Italy 0-1 Brazil (Fred)
Never count Brazil out! They have been dominated by Italy for the opening half an hour but now find themselves ahead! A cross from the left is flicked on by an Italian head and Fered is completely unmarked at the back post to calmly stroke his volley home. It was a very composed finish, but where was the Italy defence?
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SAVE! Balotelli picks the ball up about 25 yards from goal and immediately turns and shoots. His effort is good and forces Cesar to parry out into the area, just out of reach of the Italians chasing down a rebound.
CLOSE! Italy are starting to dominate again now, and they are peppering the Brazil goal with shots. This time the ball falls to Pirlo on the edge of the box, and he works the ball onto his left before trying to bend a shot into the far corner. His strike goes narrowly wide, but it was a fine effort from the midfield maestro.
GOAL! Italy 0-2 Brazil (Oscar)
The commentator's curse strikes again! It is a brilliant goal by Brazil and comes on the counter attack. Neymar picks the ball up and drives into the Italian half before slipping the ball through to Oscar inside the area. The Chelsea man pokes the ball past Buffon with the outside of his boot, giving the Italy keeper no chance. That was a fine move and a nice little finish to cap it off.
SAVE! Osvaldo almost responds straight away for Italy. A cross into the box is poked goalwards by the slightest of touches from Osvaldo, but Cesar gets a fingertip to it to send it wide. It may just have been going wide anyway, but better safe than sorry for Cesar.
HALF TIME: Italy 0-2 Brazil
There is no time to be added on so Brazil go into the break with a 2-0 lead. I'm not quite sure how they are ahead as Italy dominated that half of football, but the Brazilians have been lethal when they have had a chance. Two chances, two goals!
Brazil took the lead just after the half hour mark through Fred's calm finish at the back post, and doubled this lead just before the break courtesy of an Oscar strike, finishing off a fine counter attack.
Italy had plenty of chances to open the scoring before Fred's goal and Brazil have Julio Cesar to thank for keeping them in the game in the opening half an hour. The QPR keeper has been called into action a lot of times so far and has been equal to the test on each occasion.
One thing is for sure, this has been a great game for the neutrals so far! I spoke before the game about the legendary matches that these two sides have had and, despite this being just a friendly, it is on course to join that list.
It has been such an open game that we haven't gone a prolonged period of time without a really good chance. I would be very surprised if we have seen the last of the goals in this one. If the second half is anything like the first then my optimistic prediction of 3-2 to Brazil could come true!
So, what will the managers be saying to their teams during the interval? Well, for Italy Cesare Prandelli will want more of the same, just for his side to be a bit more clinical. They have had a lot of chances and are playing some really good football but somehow find themselves two goals behind.
Scolari, meanwhile, will probably be the unhappier of the two managers at the first half performance despite his side leading. He will want his side to get themselves into this one a bit more rather than just hitting Italy on the counter attack. He will be cautious of throwing too much forward, however, as he won't want to throw away this lead.
ITALY SUBS: Here come the first of the inevitable subs as Cerci and El Shaarawy come on for Italy.
Italy get us back underway in this one. Can they launch a comeback in this second half?
Cerci and El Shaarawy replaced Pirlo and Osvaldo for the Italians, by the way.
Cerci tries to make an immediate impact but runs straight into the Brazil defence. The sub goes down clutching his face and he wants a foul, but the ref is having none of it.
A long, raking pass finds Alves down the right, but the Barcelona full-back's cross is headed clear. Brazil have made the brighter start in the very early stages of this half.
SHOT! Balotelli will be crucial for Italy if they are to come back into this one, and he has Italy's first effort on goal in the second 45. Cerci's ball found the Milan striker, who got in between two defenders and headed goalwards, but his effort looped over the bar.
Mexican waves are usually saved for boring games, but we're getting one going round the stadium now despite this match being a thriller. The fans are really enjoying this spectacle as a whole.
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GOAL! Italy 1-2 Brazil (Daniele De Rossi)
Italy are right back in this one! A corner comes into the box and initially doesn't look too good. However, Alves misses the ball at the front post and it goes all the way through to De Rossi, who sticks a leg out and diverts it into the corner. Game on!
SHOT! Neymar wins a free kick about 25 yards from goal and takes it himself. The tricky winger gets it up and over the wall but Buffon is across quickly enough to catch it without too much trouble.
GOAL! Italy 2-2 Brazil (Mario Balotelli)
This one just gets better and better! Balotelli has the ball about 10 yards outside the Brazil area and he comes forward a couple of metres before curling a sublime effort past Cesar and into the top corner. That is a screamer! Balotelli at his brilliant best.
CHANCE! This match is non-stop! Neymar feeds Hulk down the left and the Zenit man has time to control and pick his shot with only Buffon to beat. However, the ball gets stuck under his feet from his first touch and he loses it, allowing Buffon to collect. That should have been 3-2 to Brazil!
CLOSE! Brazil are flooding forward now and Hulk has a chance to shoot from the edge of his box but his effort is blocked by Maggio. Brazil work it back into a dangerous position as Alves and Oscar link up to give Fred the ball. His shot from the edge of the box is weak, but it almost trickles into the far corner, ending up just wide.
BRAZIL SUB: No-one likes to see too many subs in international friendlies, but when you can bring on the likes of Kaka it doesn't matter too much. The Real Madrid man replaces Oscar.
YELLOW CARD! Hernanes becomes the first man in the referee's book for a cynical foul.
CHANCE! What a chance for Italy to complete the comeback! The ball falls to Balotelli who only has Cesar to beat from close range, but the QPR man is off his line very quickly and smothers the Italy striker's shot. It was good goalkeeping, but Balotelli should have scored.
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Neymar tries to show what all the fuss is about with a direct run at the Italy defence. He clearly has bags of pace and slips the ball into Fred before running on to try to get a return pass. He is let down by his strike partner, however, whose return pass is far too heavy.
ITALY SUB: Off goes Emanuele Giaccherini, a late call-up to this side, to be replaced by Andrea Poli.
CHANCE! Another big chance for Italy as Bonucci rises highest to meet a cross, but he just doesn't get enough on his effort, glancing it just wide of Cesar's goal.
YELLOW CARD! Felipe Luis puts in a late, heavy tackle as Italy look to break. The ref allows Italy advantage but comes back to book the left-back when play breaks down.
BRAZIL SUB: Off goes Brazil's opening goalscorer Fred and he is replaced by Diego Costa.
Balotelli wins a free kick for a foul by Hernanes and the former Man City man is not happy about it! He looks fired up and you wouldn't put it past the enigmatic striker to get the winner here.
SHOT! When Hulk hits them, they stay hit. The Zenit striker finds space to shoot on the edge of the box but his thunderbolt of an effort is always rising and goes over.
ITALY SUB: Yet another sub for Italy as Antonelli replaces De Sciglio. I hope the increasing amount of subs doesn't have a negative impact on the quality of this game.
CHANCE! Balotelli is getting really involved in this one. He whips a fine pass out to Cerci who returns the favour as the Milan striker is racing into the box. His shot initially looks good but Dante puts in a superb block to deny the Italian.
BRAZIL SUB: Marcelo is coming on now, and this is exactly his type of game. He replaces Filipe Luis.
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YELLOW CARD! Maggio becomes the latest player to enter the referee's notebook as he brings Neymar down with a very cynical challenge.
Hernanes swings a dangerous ball into the box that Buffon is down to collect very well. That cross was right down the corridor of uncertainty to Buffon did well to stop the danger. De Rossi looks hurt and is forced to limp off for treatment. He may not be able to continue.
SHOT! That corner routine is straight off the training ground! Diamanti pings the ball to Cerci on the edge of the box and he controls it before lashing a volley goalwards, but it is too high.
YELLOW CARD! There have been quite a few yellow cards for a friendly tonight, but then again this hasn't been like most friendlies. Poli is the latest to enter the book.
ITALY SUB: Balotelli won't get the winner in this one after all. He is replaced by Gilardino late on, a decision I'm not too sure about, Balotelli looked fired up.
CLOSE! El Shaarawy races through the middle of the Brazilian defence and curls a low effort goalwards from the edge of the box. Cesar doesn't seem too worried, but it is not far away by any means, flying just past the post. Good effort.
BRAZIL SUB: Hulk won't be getting the winner either. He is replaced by Jean for Brazil as this match begins to wind down. Will there be any late drama?
Montolivo is penalised for a foul on Kaka about 25 yards from goal. Brazil have plenty of players capable of stealing the headlines with a goal here...
...but Neymar hits it straight into the wall. Chance missed for the wonderkid there.
Now Italy have a free kick in a similar position. This would be perfect for Pirlo, but he is no longer on the field so someone else will have to step up to the plate.
Diamanti steps up and... smashes it a long, long, long way over the crossbar. Awful effort.
As if Brazil's full-backs didn't have enough attacking intent, David Luiz has joined them upfield now! They are going all out for the win in this one, will either side be able to find a winner?
There will be three minutes of added time for either side to find what would surely be a winner.
BRAZIL SUB: Luiz Gustavo enters the fray at this late stage, replacing Hernanes.
Cerci shows quick feet to buy a free kick off Luiz Gustavo, and Italy have a chance to put the ball into the box here. Last chance saloon, perhaps.
Diamanti's ball is cleared by Luiz, and that should be about it for this one.
FULL TIME: Italy 2-2 Brazil
All good things must come to an end, and that is what has happened here. The ref blows the final whistle to bring an end to a thrilling international friendly between Italy and Brazil. The final score of 2-2 only tells half the story as fans were treated to a brilliant game of football. The latest in a long line of classic matches between these two titans of world football.
Brazil somehow took a two-goal lead into the break after Italy had dominated the first half only to be undone by some clinical Brazilian finishing. Oddly, the second half was a more even affair which saw Italy level the scores courtesy of De Rossi and Balotelli goals, the latter of which was a screamer.
Over the whole match Italy probably deserved to win, but it was such an entertaining spectacle that you didn't want either side to lose! There were plenty of chances throughout and both keepers were kept busy, particularly Julio Cesar.
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Right, that's it from me tonight! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what was a magnificent game of football between two of the game's greatest institutions. I will leave you with Jack Prescott's match report and be sure to come back tomorrow for plenty more international football. Goodbye!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
