Another tense penalty shoot-out for Italy, but they come out victorious

                               Italian players celebrate after beating Uruguay on penalties

2-2 (3-2) was the precise scoreline in the 3rd place playoffs that night and it was the Italians that came out victorious. Goals were from Davide Astori in the 24th minute, Edinson Cavani with the equalizer in the 58th minute, Allesandro Diamanti in the 72nd minute, and another equalizer from Cavani six minutes after Diamanti's goal. Davide Astori's goal was a really easy goal; starting from a free kick from Diamanti that smashed the post, hit Muslera's back, and the Italian defender just struck the ball to an open net. The next goal from Cavani was quite an impressive one. With Gargano flying through the middle, then into the box, he passed the ball to Cavani and the Napoli striker calmly put the ball in the right side of the net. The next goal was a stunner from Diamanti; he shocked the South American giant by converting a 20 yard free kick into a wonderful goal. Cavani then did the same thing as Diamanti did except Diamanti's goal was more accurate and Buffon could have put more effort on Cavani's kick. Extra time was disappointing for Azzuri; Montolivo got sent off in the 110th minute after not making any contact with Liverpool's Luis Suarez after fouling him. He saw his 2nd yellow for the day and he walked off the field. For the penalty shootout section, Buffon saved three penalties from Forlan, Gargano, and Ceceres. While two Uruguayans (Suarez and Cavani) managed to successfully score. Although Giaccherini failed to impress the Salvador crowd, Buffon did with his masterful saves. Buffon was the hero, like it or not. Salvador saw Azzuri take 3rd. 

8 July 2013, Pascal Tanujaya