Italy suffered the opening game voodoo, as they had to rely on Daniele De Rossi’s equaliser to spare them certain defeat in Group F’s opening encounter.

Italy started brightly in the game, belittling any rumours that the team are once again past their expiry date. The side has an average age of 28 and not 35, contrary to popular belief.

Paraguay simply couldn’t retain possession well enough as they failed to keep the ball for more than 4 seconds. Italy on the other hand, were impressive with their build-up play early in the game.

The rain was hammering down, thus making the playing surface wet and greasy.

Aureliano Torres of Paraguay tried to make the headlines for himself with a decent half-chance volley. Unfortunately for him, he scuffed his shot wide off the frame of the goal.

The referee seemed to love to keep the cards in his pocket as a lot of dicey sliding challenges were left unpunished in the first opening period of the game.

After a bright start, the Azzurri failed to gain a foothold in the game as they struggled to get behind the Paraguayan defence in the first half. They seemed to lack that final ball for Gilardino to pounce on.

Against the run of play, Guaranies stunned the world champions by taking the lead.

Alcaraz beat both the experienced Cannavaro and De Rossi in the air to nod home the free kick from Torres.

The Italian spark dematerialised over the course in the first half as Marcelo Lippi could only frown when the half time whistle was blown.

The Italians started the second half sluggishly. Even the Paraguayans had the time to get back easily into their positions.

The Guaranies looked the more likely of the two to score a goal as Vera threatened the Italian defence once again. However, his effort went grazed the top corner.

The World Champions equalized on the 63rd min when De Rossi capitalised on Villar’s goalkeeping mistake as he stabbed the ball into the empty net from Pepe’s corner.

Italy regained all the lost momentum once they scored the equaliser as the Paraguayans were left reeling.

Montolivo managed to squeeze in an effort from 30 yards out that caused Villar to scramble it away for a corner on the 82nd min.

It was a nervy end for Paraguay as they cleared the ball aimlessly and defended for their lives to save that crucial point.

The top 2 teams likely to progress into the round of 16 battled it out to a 1-1 draw. Can either minnows New Zealand or Slovakia top the group tomorrow?