Giorgio Chiellini captained Italy to a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria during Saturday evening’s Euro 2016 Group H qualifier in Sofia.
The Azzurri, who also had Bianconeri duo Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci alongside Chiellini in a three-man defence, went ahead after only four minutes thanks to a Yordan Milnev own goal.
But the hosts rallied almost immediately and two strikes in six first-half minutes from forwards Ivelin Popov and Iliyan Mistanski saw them make it 2-1 ahead of the break.
With 84 minutes on the clock however, substitute Eder latched on to Chiellini’s pass, turned his marker before hitting an unstoppable effort that salvaged a point for Antonio Conte’s men.
Yesterday’s result sees Italy remain second in Group H behind Croatia who beat Norway 5-1 earlier on in the day. The Azzurri will now prepare to play England in a friendly at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Elsewhere, both Roberto Pereyra and Carlos Tevez featured in Argentina’s 2-0 exhibition match triumph over El Salvador in Washington.
The Juventus duo completed 90 and 78 minutes respectively as La Albiceleste, who are currently undertaking a tour of the United States, won comprehensively courtesy of second-half goals from Ever Banega and Federico Mancuello.
Gerardo Martino’s troops will now make their way to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium where they go head-to-head with Ecuador in another friendly this coming Wednesday.
And finally, Kingsley Coman remained an unused substitute as France Under-19s made it two wins in as many European Championship Elite round qualifiers following a 2-0 victory away at Denmark.
Striker Sehrou Guirassy hit both goals in Flers, with Les Bleuets now set to face England Under-19s on Tuesday evening at the Stade Louis Villemer for their final encounter of the international break.