Mario Balotelli netted a brilliant equalizer to help his side fight back from two goals down against Brazil in an international friendly in Geneva.
Brazil had taken a two-goal lead in the first half through strikes from Fred and Oscar, before Daniele De Rossi and Balotelli, who was also guilty of missing several other chances, evened the scoreline early in the second period.
The match was billed as one between two teams expected to compete for the title in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and it did not entirely disappoint as both sides opened the game with decent chances.
First Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar brilliantly kept out Emmanuele Giaccherini, before Gianluigi Buffon was called into action, stopping Neymar from scoring.
Italy were the better side in the first half, with Brazil looking to hit them on the counter, and both of Brazil's goals came against the run of play.
Fullback Filipe Luis played in a cross from the left, which Leonardo Bonucci could only manage to head it towards an unmarked Fred at the far post, with the Brazilian striker calmly finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute.
Italy came close soon after with a couple of efforts, but it was again Brazil that found the goal three minutes from halftime. Oscar played the ball through to Neymar who ran with it before playing it back to the Chelsea man to finish brilliantly with the outside of his right foot into the bottom corner.
Italy needed to come out with more purpose in the second half and they did, with De Rossi cutting the deficit in the 54th minute from a corner.
Three minutes later Balotelli curled an absolute peach from outside the box to ensure a draw.
"We had a great game," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told Rai. "We were down 2-0 at break. I looked to transmit the feeling we could score then equalize.
"We risked a lot being 2-0 down but we were better organised in the second half. It was good spirit from the team.
"I like us being in this form as it gives us more confidence."
