Andrea Barzagli News

Andrea Pirlo, playing his 100th game for his country, put Italy ahead in the first half with a stunning free-kick before Javier Hernandez levelled from the spot.

Andrea Pirlo's fantastic free kick on his 100th international cap was cancelled out by Javier Hernandez' penalty, and a draw seemed inevitable before the striker powered home Italy left it late to get their Confederations Cup campaign off to a winning start by defeating Mexico 2-1 at the Maracana on Sunday.

Italy moved level with Brazil at the top of Confederations Cup Group A after a tough win over Mexico at the Maracana.

Halfway through the qualifying campaign, Italy sit top of the group on 13 points, three ahead of Bulgaria, who have played one game more, with the Czech Republic on eight points from five games.

Italy must go all out to try to beat Czech Republic in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Prague or risk coming a cropper, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said on Tuesday.

Cesare Prandelli says four of the Under-21 squad would have been in his latest Italy party had they failed to qualify for the European Championship.

The left-back started in the 4-0 friendly win over San Marino on Friday, but he picked up an ankle problem which will see him sidelined for the next two weeks.

And so another Serie A season draws to a close. 2012-13 has been one of the liveliest league campaigns on the peninsula for some time, with plenty of high-flying drama and under-performing despair from Italian football's main protagonists.