Italy and Japan met for the first time in a competitive game in their Group A clash in the Confederations Cup.
The two teams played out a thrilling seven-goal encounter as both side's exchanged leads and came back from deficits.
Cesare Prandelli's side just had enough quality to secure a victory and earn their place in the semi-finals of the competition while Japan crashed out following their defeat.
Check out all the action as it unfolded in our minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Confederations Cup clash between Italy and Japan.
A win for Italy tonight will see them book their place in the semi-finals of the competition, while a defeat for Japan will see them crash out of the tournament. So we could have an entertaining match on our hands here.
The team news is in and we'll start with Cesare Prandelli's side.
ITALY: Buffon, Maggion, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Montolivo, Pirlo, De Rossi, Aquilani, Giaccherini, Balotelli
JAPAN: Kawashima, Uchida, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo, Okazaki, Hasebe, Endo, Kagawa, Honda, Maeda
So, Prandelli makes two changes to his side, Christian Maggio replaces Ignazio Abate at right-back and Alberto Aquilani comes into the team for Claudio Marchisio from the 2-1 win over Mexico.
Just the one change for Japan as Ryoichi Maeda comes into the lineup to replace Hiroshi Kiyotake up front.
Japan need at least a draw in this game to stay in the competition and they have opted to go for one up front with Maeda leading the line with Keisuke Honda close by in support, while Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa starts on the left.
Another Premier League name to look out for is Maya Yoshida, from Southampton, who starts at centre-back for Alberto Zaccheroni's side.
For Italy, they've gone with a 4-3-3 formation, with Mario Balotelli starting up front on his own. However, he'll be supported by Emanuele Giaccherini and Aquilani, flanking either side of him. The midfield trio of Andrea Pirlo, Ricardo Montolivo and Daniele de Rossi will see a lot of the ball this evening and will attempt to dictate the game.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has admitted that it will be an emotional day for his coaching against his home country. He told reporters: "When I started off coaching I never imagined I would be coaching a team playing against Italy and not in a friendly but a very important competition."
ITALY SUBS: Sirigu, Astori, Candreva, Marchisio, Giovinco, Gilardino, El Shaarawy, Cerci, Bonucci, Abate, Diamanti, Marchetti
JAPAN SUBS: Nishikawa, Inoha, Gotuko Sakai, Kiyotake, Havenaar, Hosogai, Nakamura, Kurihara, Inui, Takahashi, Hiroki Sakai, Gonda
The teams are out on the pitch and the national anthems have been sung, we should be underway shortly.
We're underway in this Group A Confederations Cup clash.
Early shout for a free kick from the Japanese after Maeda is brought down outside the box, but the referee waves play on.
Japan seeing a lot of the ball in the early stages, as Kagawa gets the ball in the final third but he's crowded out before he can shoot at goal.
Kagawa raids forward again and combines with Honda but neither of the midfielders take a strike at goal and the Italians clear the danger.
CHANCE!! Maeda heads low and hard at goal but Buffon is there to make the save, after the striker made contact with Kagawa's cross from the left.
Kagawa has been all over Italy so far and he whips another dangerous ball to the back post where Maeda and Honda wait but the ball doesn't quite fall for either of them and Chiellini hacks the ball clear.
Honda finds space in the box, he twists and turns and fires an effort at goal but Maeda collects the ball and is flagged offside. The Italian defence breathe again!
SHOT! Kagawa takes a short corner to his fellow midfielder Endo, who lines a shot up from distance and he blazes the ball just over the bar. Japan have been all over Italy in this game.
Italy's turn to threaten as Balotelli sees the ball for the first time as he raids down the right and hits a dangerous cross into the middle, which Kawashima punches away.
Kagawa sees the ball again on the left and he tries to link-up with Honda again but this time Barzagli gets the better of the midfielder and Buffon gathers the ball.
Japan are all over Italy again, as this time they hit them on the break. Kagawa pushes forward and slips in Nagamoto who lifts a cross to the back post but no teammate is there to get on the end of it.
It has been end to end in the early stages. Italy string together a few passes before Aquilani releases Maggio behind the Japan defence but the ball goes out for a goal kick just before he can reach it.
SAVE!!! Buffon has to do well to prevent a shot from distance from the boot of Kagawa finding the net, as he launches himself across his goal and palms the ball over the bar.
Italy are starting to get a little bit of a foothold in this game. Pirlo and De Rossi are slowly getting into the game and are looking to control possession.
PENALTY TO JAPAN!!
Japan win a penalty as Buffon brings down Okazaki in the area. It looked a fair challenge but the referee points to the spot.
GOAL!!!!! Italy 0-1 Japan (Honda)
Japan take the lead as Honda calmly slots the ball into the bottom corner of the net beating Buffon. Italy are not happy as they believe the challenge from Buffon on Okazaki was a fair one.
Italy look to hit straight back as they win a free kick in a dangerous area but Pirlo's cross is immediately cleared by the Japanese defence.
Prandelli's side look a bit shell shocked. Japan have come out and have dominated the game and deserve their lead, even if it did come in slightly fortuitous circumstances.
Maeda flicks the ball onto Honda who thinks he's in again again but the linesman raises his flag as the midfielder began to bare down on goal.
Japan win the ball in midfield and they swarm forward in numbers, in a five on five situation against the Italian defence but this time Chiellini does extremely well as he stands Kagawa up and wins the ball.
Italy seemed to have calmed the storm for now as the spend a few minutes in the Japan half but Balotelli seems bemused as he concedes a free kick in the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION: Aquilani is replaced after just 30 minutes by Giovinco, in a tactical move by Prandelli.
GOAL!!!!! Italy 0-2 Japan (Kagawa)
Japan double their lead and what a strike by Kagawa as he spins inside the penalty area and rifles a left-footed volley into the bottom corner of the net. Italy had failed to clear their lines from a corner and the Manchester United man took advantage of some poor defending from the second ball into the box.
Zaccheroni's side continue to dominate this game and deserve their second and what a cracking finish it was by Kagawa, he's been all over the Italian defence. Italy need to get a grip if they don't want this to get out of hand.
Japan have a chance to add another goal as Kagawa is fouled on the edge of the box.
CHANCE!!! Endo's free kick is beaten away by Buffon and Maeda tries to get on the rebound but his effort is smothered by the keeper. So close to number three, there.
Italy's turn to threaten from a free kick now as Balotelli is brought down, 35 yards from goal on the right.
Pirlo whips the free kick in at speed but Kawashima watches the ball go just over the bar.
GOAL!!!!! Italy 1-2 Japan (De Rossi)
Italy get a goal back just before half-time as De Rossi heads Pirlo's corner into the net from close range. It was lovely cross into the area and the Roma midfielder showed predatory instincts the get in front of his marker and nod his side back into the game.
Prandelli's side have come to life in this game and now it is Japan who are holding on for dear life. Pirlo has woken up and is dictating possession now.
Italy are turning up the pressure as Giaccherini turns his man and lifts a cross into the area, Balotelli tries to meet it but Yoshida clears only as far as Chiellini, who is brought down on the edge of the area and the referee awards a free kick.
Pirlo lines up the kick and blasts it straight into the wall, he collects the rebound but the Japan defence block his effort again.
OFF THE POST!! Giaccherini strikes the post right on half-time as he collects the ball in the penalty area turns Nagatomo inside out and drills his effort low and hard but it smacks off the post and bounces to safety.
HALF-TIME: Italy 1-2 Japan
Well what a first half that was. It was all action right from the whistle, Japan fully deserve their lead after dominating the opening 40 minutes but Italy came back into the game in the last five and should have been level.
Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has been running the show for Alberto Zaccheroni's side along Keisuke Honda. Italy haven't had an answer for the duo yet and if they are allowed to continue in the same vain in the second half, expect a lot more goals.
However, you can't keep a good team and players down for long and it was no surprise to see Andrea Pirlo inspire his side's comeback. He sprung into the life after Kagawa's strike and his impetus and inch perfect cross for Daniele De Rossi got the Italians a foothold in the game.
It has been brilliant football to watch, with a lot at stake. Let's hope this continues in the second half.
The players are back out on the pitch and we should be underway shortly.
We're back underway in this Group A clash.
Honda released Kagawa down the left yet again, he tries to beat Maggio but this time the defender stops him in his tracks and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Italy win a free kick after Maeda fouls De Rossi but the midfielder gives the ball straight back to Yoshida. Not the best start to the half for Prandelli's side.
GOAL!!!! Italy 2-2 Japan (OG Uchida)
Italy get an equaliser as Giaccherini slides the ball across the face of goal and Uchida can only turn the ball into the net. He had no choice as Balotelli was lurking at the back post and was sure to slot the ball home had the ball reached him. The goal all came from Endo's failure to guide the ball out for a goal kick and Giaccherini took full advantage winning it and crossing for the the leveller.
PENALTY TO ITALY
Italy win a penalty as Hasebe handles the ball in the penalty area. Balotelli will take the spot kick.
GOAL!!!! Italy 3-2 Japan (Balotelli)
Italy take the lead and complete their comeback from two goals down as Balotelli slots the ball past Kawashima and this time he celebrates without removing his shirt. What a game this is!
Japan go on the attack looking to hit back immediately but Kagawa is crowded out on the edge of the penalty area before he can shoot.
CHANCE!!! Italy almost get their fourth as Giovinco shoots from distance but Kawashima scrambles across his line and tips his effort past the post for a corner.
CHANCE!!! Another chance directly from the corner for Italy. Pirlo whips the ball towards the penalty spot and Chiellini gets a head to the ball but Kawashima does well to make the save.
SUBSTITUTION: Ignazio Abate replaces Christian Maggio at right-back for Italy.
Japan are still a threat going forward, they just need to commit more numbers. Honda finds space on the right but De Sciglio keeps him at bay and his eventual cross lands right in the hands of Buffon.
Alberto Zaccheroni's side have dominated possession for the last three minutes as they've kept the ball in the final third of the Italy half but the Italians look solid as a rock and are not budging from the edge of their own area.
A mistake from De Sciglio almost allows Maeda to capitalise but the ball runs out of play before he can try to lift it over Buffon.
Kagawa robs Pirlo of the ball in midfield and drives towards the Italy box but Abate is there to make a brilliant sliding tackle to stop the midfielder in his tracks. Good clean tackle from the defender.
SUBSTITUTION: Claudio Marchisio comes on to replace Emanuele Giaccherini.
GOAL!!!! Italy 3-3 Japan (Okazaki)
Japan are level!!! What a game! They win a free kick on the right and Endo whips a cross to the near post where Okazaki rises above his marker and heads the ball across Buffon and into the top corner. A lovely headed finish.
CHANCE!!! Japan should be ahead! Honda surges into the box beating several challenges before firing a right-footed shot at goal but Buffon makes a great save to turn the ball away.
Italy are starting to look slightly jaded and Japan seem the fresher of the two sides and more likely to find a winner.
SUBSTITUTION: Hiroki Sakai comes on to replace Atsuto Uchida.
Italy win a free kick in a dangerous position on the left about 30 yards from goal. What can Pirlo produce this time?
Pirlo whips in the free kick but it goes over the head of everyone in the area and out for a goal kick. A disappointing delivery from that position.
CHANCE!!! Hasebe goes inches away from giving his side the lead again but he fires his shot just over the bar after Honda's cross was cleared right into his path by Barzagli.
Italy are almost in as Giovinco lifts a ball for Montolivo behind the defence but Yoshida gets back well to clear the danger.
OFF THE WOODWORK!! Japan come so close to taking the lead, first Okazaki fires a right-footed shot low and hard at goal but his effort smacks the post. However, it rebounds straight into the path of Kagawa who heads at goal but his effort hits the bar and goes over. Unbelievable!!!
Honda pulls apart the Italian defence yet again and he finds Kagawa in the penalty area but he's crowded out and the ball lands at the feet of Okazaki but he's flagged offside.
GOAL!!!! Italy 4-3 Japan (Giovinco)
Italy regain the lead!!! This is unbelievable!!! De Rossi slips a pass behind the Japan defence for Marchisio who passes the ball across the face of goal for Giovinco, who's left with a simple finish.
OFFSIDE!! Japan think they're level as Yoshida taps the ball in at the near post after Konno's header hits the bar, but the linesman raises his flag for offside against the Southampton defender. Italy breathe a sigh of relief.
Both teams looked dead on their feet, they've both given so much in this clash. Do Japan have it in them to find a late equaliser?
Japan win a corner and Honda has a chance to whip a ball into the box but Chiellini rises highest in the area to head his cross clear to safety.
FULL-TIME: Italy 4-3 Japan
That's it, Italy have secured the win in a fantastic game of football. They advance to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup, as they join Brazil to reach the last four.
Japan gave everything in this game and didn't deserve to lose. Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda were brilliant and gave the Italian defence a torrid time. They were made to rue some poor finishing in front of goal as Honda and Kagawa both had chances late on to give their side the lead but they were punished by Giovinco and that's what top teams can do to you.
Italy were far from their best but did enough to secure the win. Defensively they were extremely poor and far from the standard you'd expect from an Italian side. However, going forward they showed a clinical edge as the punished every single Japanese mistake. Cesare Prandelli will be delighted his side have managed to come through this test with a hard-earned victory.
We were treated to quite a game of football and we can only hope things can only get better in this tournament.
That's it from us. Thanks for joining our live commentary of today's clash, until next time, goodbye.
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Simon Sinclair
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