Buffon spares Italian blushes

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu had put the Romanians in front in the 57th minute only for Christian Panucci to equalise straightaway for the world champions, who suffered a 3-0 humiliation to Holland in their opening Group C game.

Panucci then brought Daniel Niculae down five minutes from time to concede the penalty, but Mutu's effort from the spot was saved by Buffon.

The result means that Italy must now win their last game against France on Tuesday to stand any chance of progressing.

The Italians, severely criticised after their flat display against the Dutch, showed a sense of urgency from the start and almost broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Alessandro Del Piero's close-range header from Perrotta's cross went just wide of the near post.

In the 15th minute, Romania should have gone in front but Mutu's left-footed strike from the edge of the area was parried away by Buffon.

Italy almost fell behind in the 19th minute when Cristian Chivu's free-kick was deflected by Panucci but rebounded off the far post, with Buffon already beaten.

Italy showed more determination and twice had the opportunity to take the lead but both Del Piero and Luca Toni headed wide and Toni had an effort ruled out for offside.

Disaster struck for Italy when Gianluca Zambrotta's back-pass towards Buffon was intercepted by a determined Mutu, who fired past the goalkeeper to silence the Azzurri fans.

It did not take long for Donadoni's men to hit back though as Giorgio Chiellini latched onto Del Piero's corner and headed towards the far post where an unmarked Panucci fired into the back of the net but they had Buffon to thank for keeping their Euro 2008 hopes alive, after he kept out Mutu's late penalty with an agile save which saw the ball rebound off hand and foot.