Buffon is hero as Italy win on penalties

Gianluigi Buffon saved three out of five Uruguayan attempts in the shootout as Italy beat the South Americans 3-2 on penalties to finish third in the Confederations Cup after the two sides defied the heat in a 2-2 draw.

Italy, who had Riccardo Montolivo sent off 10 minutes from the end of extra time for a second bookable offence, twice led only for Edinson Cavani to pull Uruguay level each time.

Cavani missed two chances to complete a hat-trick and win the match for the Copa America champions deep into extra time. Italy finished the match utterly exhausted after playing extra time in tropical conditions for the second time in four days, following their semi-final defeat by Spain on penalties in Fortaleza last Thursday.

"It wasn't easy to give all they had when they were running on empty," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said.

Buffon, who saved penalties from Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano, added: "We have shown great character because today it's been really tough." He then slammed critics back home who had wondered why he was not able to stop any of Spain's seven penalties in the semi-final.