SALVADOR, Brazil — Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties as an under-strength Italy edged Uruguay 3-2 in a penalty shootout Sunday to secure third place at the Confederations Cup following a 2-2 draw after extra time. It was a measure of redemption for Italy after a loss to Spain, also in a shootout, in the semifinals. This shootout capped an entertaining match at the Arena Fonte Nova, where Alessandro Diamanti scored one goal and set up another for Italy and Edinson Cavani equalized twice for Uruguay. Italy defender Davide Astori opened the scoring in the 24th minute and Cavani scored his first in the 58th. Diamanti restored Italy's lead in the 73rd and Cavani drew Uruguay level again five minutes later, with both late goals coming from free kicks. England out of U20 Cup In Istanbul, Uruguay defeated Uzbekistan 4-0 to secure a place in the Under-20 World Cup knockout stage Saturday. Uruguay finished Group F second to Croatia, and will take on Nigeria in the playoffs. Uzbekistan also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will meet Greece. Croatia, already qualified, beat New Zealand 2-1. Iraq beat Chile 2-1 to win Group E. Both teams were already through to the last 16. Iraq will face Paraguay, while Chile is up against Croatia.
Egypt beat England 2-0 and finished third but came up one goal short of advancing. Instead, Ghana went through to the first knockout round as the 16th and last team because of a better goal difference and will play Portugal. England hasn't won a match in the competition since 1997, and stretched its winless streak to 17 games. The Under-20 World Cup continues Tuesday with the first four matches of the knockout stage, including tournament favorite Spain against Mexico Messi and friends win match Argentine star Messi and “his friends” beat the Rest of the World 9-6 Saturday in an exhibition charity game before 12,000 spectators. Messi opened the scoring for his team that also included Colombians David Ospina and Juan Pablo Angel and Argentinians Martin Demichelis, Javier Mascherano and Pablo Aimar, among others. Meanwhile, team Rest of the World was composed of Argentinians Wilfredo Caballero and Santiago Solari and Colombians Mario Yepes, James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez. On Tuesday Messi and his team will arrive in Lima to play another friendly. — Agencies
