Bulgaria and Italy played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Group H of Euro 2016 qualifying this evening.

Italy took the lead within the first four minutes after a cross from the left byline caused problems for the Bulgaria defence and Yordan Minev diverted the ball into his own net.

Antonio Candreva tested Nikolay Mihaylov in the sixth minute when his 25-yard free kick was tipped wide by the Bulgarian goalkeeper.

Bulgaria levelled the scores with their first attack of the game when Ivelin Popov found the bottom-right corner from outside the penalty area.

They then took a surprise lead in the 17th minute, with Ilijan Micanski heading into the same corner of the goal.

Ciro Immobile should have equalised for Italy three minutes later, but his header from a free kick went wide.

Popov nearly doubled Bulgaria's lead in the 37th minute, but his free kick rebounded off the crossbar.

Marco Verratti had a good chance to equalise in the 60th minute, but his shot went wide of the left post from a corner.

Immobile then took aim in the 68th minute and Mihaylov could only parry the shot into the path of Andrea Bertolacci, but the midfielder could not hit the target from a tight angle.

Italy equalised with seven minutes to spare, when naturalised striker Eder, making his debut for the Azzurri, powered the ball into the far corner from 20 yards.

Manolo Gabbiadini had a chance to win the match for Italy, but his shot from the left side of the area rolled past the right post.

The result sees Italy remain unbeaten, but they trail group leaders Croatia by two points, while Bulgaria remain in fourth.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh