Italy edge seven-goal thriller

Italy have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup following a thrilling 4-3 victory over a spirited Japan.

The Japanese were quicker off the starting blocks, taking a deserved lead in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was adjudged to have fouled Shinji Okazaki in the box.

Keisuke Honda dispatched the spot kick, calmly slotting the ball past Buffon into the bottom corner.

It took Japan little more than 10 minutes to double their lead, with Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa scoring a superb individual goal following scrappy defending from the Azzurri.

Italy reduced the deficit four minutes before half time when Daniele De Rossi met Andrea Pirlo's corner with a thumping header that found the back of the net.

Cesare Prandelli's side almost went into the break level as a low shot from Emanuele Giaccherini came crashing back off the post in first-half stoppage time.

However, the Azure equalised shortly after the interval, with Japan right-back Atsuto Uchida putting through his own goal under pressure from Mario Balotelli.

The game was turned on its head two minutes later when Makoto Hasebe handled in the area, gifting Italy a penalty which Balotelli smashed home to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

Italy dictated play for a spell after edging their noses in front, but were unable to hold on to their lead, Japan drawing level through Okazaki's near-post header following a free kick.

Spurred on by the equaliser, Japan were on top for much of the closing stages, striking the woodwork twice, only to be hit by a suckerpunch at the death.

Sebastian Giovinco rounded off a neat Italy counter-attack with a simple tap-in to fire his side into the last four of the competition.

Japan did have the ball in the net at the other end moments later, only for Shigeru Yoshida's effort to be ruled out for offside.