'Fortunate' Buffon plays down save

The Juventus veteran showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world as he kept out Adrian Mutu's spot-kick late in the game to make sure the world champions held onto a 1-1 draw in their second Group C encounter.

"A save is a save," said Buffon. "I have been fortunate."

A defeat against Romania would have seen the Azzurri knocked out of the tournament after their humiliating 3-0 defeat against Holland in the opener, and for that reason Buffon and his team-mates celebrated that save as though they had won the game.

"Of course, we deserved the win," said Buffon. "But when you are on the verge of going home, you are relieved to take anything positive."

Buffon was furious with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who awarded the penalty after Christian Panucci was adjudged to have held Daniel Nicolae inside the area.

"When with a dubious decision you risk to send home a team, one should use their conscience and good sense," said Buffon.

Italy go into the final group game against France at the bottom of Group C level on one point with Tuesday's rivals France.

Les Bleus lost 4-1 against Holland having previously been held to a goalless draw by Romania.

Both sides will be desperate to take three points in Zurich next week to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.