Italy took on Nigeria tonight in a friendly international at Craven Cottage, with the Super Eagles still riding high from a 4-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia last weekend, securing their World Cup spot.
The Azzurri started brightly and broke the deadlock when Giuseppe Rossi marked his international return with the opening goal, but Nigeria soon responded to lead at the break courtesy of quick efforts from Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi.
Cesare Prandelli's men regrouped after the interval and equalised when Emanuele Giaccherini smashed home from close range, but were unable to find a late winner as Alessandro Diamanti and Marco Parolo both hit the woodwork.
Look back at a friendly full of incident in West London with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening international football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for what promises to be an intriguing friendly at Craven Cottage tonight, with Italy and Nigeria clashing as preparations for next summer's World Cup kick into overdrive.
Both teams have plenty of reason to celebrate in West London tonight, with Nigeria booking their ticket to Brazil just 48 hours ago with play-off success on home soil. Italy meanwhile are on a five-match unbeaten run which helped them secure safe passage to South America, giving Cesare Prandelli reason to toast a half-century of games in charge of the Azzurri this evening.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on the starting XIs from Craven Cottage, with Nigeria unsurprisingly making seven changes to the side which beat Ethiopia last weekend. Italy meanwhile have Giuseppe Rossi back in the side to partner Mario Balotelli in attack. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
NIGERIA: Ejide, Kwambe, Oboabona, Egwuekwe, Francis, Onazi, Mikel, Oduamadi, Moses, Dike, Ameobi
ITALY: Sirigu, Maggio, Pasqual, Ogbonna, Ranocchia, Thiago Motta, Montolivo, Candreva, Giaccherini, Rossi, Balotelli
Tonight's headline team news is the return of Rossi to the Azzurri fold, after a fantastic start to the season for Fiorentina. Serie A's leading scorer replaces Pablo Osvaldo in attack to partner Balotelli, while there are also starts for Emanuele Giaccherini and Antonio Candreva on the flanks.
Nigeria meanwhile may well have a hangover from celebrating success last weekend, but there is now the fight for a place in Stephen Keshi's 23-man squad to consider. Shola Ameobi is among those hoping to press home his claim in attack tonight, with Victor Moses and Jon Obi Mikel also familiar faces to natives at the Cottage tonight.
PREDICTION! As we await the two teams and that distinctive Azzurri national anthem there is just time for me to predict that Italy should be fresh and favourites for success tonight, but in a friendly of this nature there is no guarantee. I'll back Rossi to mark the end of his Italy exile with a goal, with Prandelli's men just shading things 2-1.
Both teams have plenty of support at Craven Cottage tonight, with Italy perhaps shading the battle between anthems with a rousing effort. Just about ready for the clash between World Cup contenders to get underway, with time for me to remind you that all the proceeds from tonight's match will be given to the charity appeal for those affected by the recent typhoon in the Philippines. A worthy cause indeed!
Here we go then, with Martin Atkinson giving the signal for Nigeria to kickoff, shooting from right to left. Italy are in a changed all-white strip this evening.
Nigeria just crowd out Maggio on the right-hand side to retrieve possession early on, with Dike also snuffed out on the opposite flank at the beginning of a pacy burst towards the corner flag.
Dike is clearly motivated to impress in his first appearance in 2013 for the Super Eagles, winning a free kick just outside the penalty area. Moses wins the race to take but slips as he attempts to connect, sending a strange strike wide of the near post, much to the relief of Italy stand-in goalkeeper Sirigu.
Oboabona brings down Maggio wide of the penalty area to give Italy a dangerous free kick of their own, but Rossi's curling cross is headed clear at the near post. Maggio then attempts to pick up the pieces again out wide, but is quickly crowded out by two Nigerian defenders.
Montolivo just fails to find Balotelli with a scooped pass over the top, as Italy just begin to take a stanglehold on possession. Prandelli is experimenting with a conventional 4-4-2 tonight, but definitely has the players to make it work.
Moses is rather harshly penalised for a foul on Candreva, allowing Italy to press forward. Giaccherini eventually goes down in the penalty area under pressure from Kwambe, but is soon told to get up by the referee following half-hearted penalty appeals.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Nigeria (Rossi)
Wonderful link-up play between strike pair Balotelli and Rossi has put Italy ahead early on. Balotelli used his strength to hold up play before turning to find Ross in space with a clever through ball. From there Rossi showed composure to draw the goalkeeper off his line, chipping at just the right moment into an empty net. Advantage Azzurri!
SAVE! Nigeria almost force an immediate response from range, with Onazi letting fly from all of 30 yards. His effort needed parrying by Sirigu, who got down low to his far post before pushing a fiercely-struck effort round the post.
Italy are really finding their groove in possession as Montolivo starts to dictate play from deep. His switch of play starts an intricate move which nearly sees Balotelli picked out at the far post, but Pasqual's cross just has too much on it and trickles out of play.
YELLOW CARD! Cynical stuff from Candreva as he stops Moses racing down the wing with pace and purpose. With his second attempt the Lazio man got enough on a sliding challenge to bring down the winger, forcing the referee to produce the evening's first caution early on.
Montolivo just drags a shot wide from close range, not realising he has time to do far better. That chance was created by a slick exchange with Giaccherini, catching Nigeria's defence static once again. Keshi's young side need to find their rhythm quickly to stay in this match.
Italy are nearly caught cold by a quick counter from the Super Eagles, with Ranocchia just cutting out a cutback from Moses into the penalty area. More like it from Nigeria, just moments after Balotelli smashed a free kick into the wall from distance.
Moses wins a corner kick after switching to the left-hand side, but his cross is a poor one and easily knocked clear at the near post. Nigeria are able to keep the ball thanks to quick feet from Mikel, who is shut down by Motta but still manages to find Onazi with a short pass.
An end-to-end passage of play sees Sirigu claim a cross from Ameobi that floated dangerously towards goal, before a burst from Giaccherini down the flank wins Italy a corner kick. Candreva's cross is little better than the effort from Moses just moments earlier though, cleared with minimum fuss.
SAVE! Italy should really be further be ahead but a superb stop from Ejide keeps them at bay on this occasion. Balotelli was the man who hammered towards goal from a tight angle, after an inviting through ball from Milan teammate Montolivo. Balotelli wanted time to pick his spot but was quickly shut down by Ejide, who stayed tall and produced a strong one-handed save from close range.
GOAL! Italy 1-1 Nigeria (Dike)
What a moment for Bright Dike, who scores his first official goal for Nigeria with a firm header nodded into the corner from close range. The Toronto FC striker ghosted beyond his marker to meet a curling cross from Ameobi, giving Sirigu no chance with an assured header. Game on at Craven Cottage!
Nigeria have their opponents rocking as Moses breaks clear down the right, driving inside before forcing a corner as his strike is deflected wide by Maggio on the retreat. A brilliant response from the Super Eagles.
GOAL! Italy 1-2 Nigeria (Ameobi)
Quite incredible scenes in West London as Nigeria complete a swift turnaround in style, as Ameobi goes from provider to scorer with a measured flick at the near post. The Newcastle United striker got ahead of Ogbonna to meet a chip towards the six-yard box from Francis Benjamin, getting enough on his effort to deceive Sirigu and give the Super Eagles a shock lead!
Ogbonna has been loudly booed by the Nigerian fans in attendance behind Sirigu's goal all night, most likely for pledging international allegiance to Italy rather than the Super Eagles. The Azzurri looked stunned as Moses just overhits a through ball towards Ameobi, trickling out for a goal kick.
HALF TIME: Italy 1-2 Nigeria
Well that was quite a first 45 minutes in West London, with Italy caught cold after taking the lead early on through Rossi. Nigeria responded strongly though, scoring twice before the break to send the small contingent of Super Eagles fans behind Sirigu's goal into raptures.
Italy showed little sign of that capitulation early on, breaking the deadlock thanks to a slick exchange between striker duo Balotelli and Rossi. It was all downhill from there though, with Nigeria exposing a much-changed Azzurri backline to leave Prandelli with plenty to ponder at the interval.
BENCH WATCH! Both managers have plenty of options available if they wish to make changes at the interval, with Italy in particular blessed with talent in reserve. The likes of Cerci, Diamanti, Parolo, Insigne and Osvaldo will all be hoping to prove their worth in the second half, while Nigeria could call upon Efe Ambrose or Ideye Brown.
Prandelli will certainly demand a reaction after the break, with alarming defensively frailties exposed and not for the first time in recent matches. Both teams are back out and just about ready to get this friendly international back underway.
SUBSTITUTION: Nigeria have made just a single change as the second half gets off and running, with Oduamadi replaced by Ogu. Italy have the same starting XI, tasked with writing the wrongs of that first period.
GOAL! Italy 2-2 Nigeria (Giaccherini)
A swift response from Italy as Candreva finds Giaccherini free at the far post. Nigeria clearly weren't ready for an onslaught led by Balotelli as the Sunderland winger was given time and space to pick his spot, slamming home with authority. Game on once again as a fired-up Italy come out fighting.
Mikel takes some time to get to his feet following a trip from Candreva, but eventually returns and moves across to take a free kick around 30 yards from goal. Eventually the cross comes in and flies though a packed penalty area, with the Super Eagles awarded a corner. Ogu is up highest when the corner comes in, lofting a looping header well beyond the far post.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A triple change from Italy, with Parolo, Pirlo and Diamanti replacing Montolivo, Rossi and Motta. Pirlo will take over as Azzurri captain, with Prandelli opting for fresh legs in midfield early in the second half.
Pirlo quickly gets involved to switch play out wide, finding Pasqual as he sends a terrific drilled cross into the six-yard box. Nigeria clear their lines at the expense of a corner kick, with Ejidea able to claim when Diamainti swings in another cross.
YELLOW CARD! Egwuekwe is cautioned after obstructing Balotelli's just outside the penalty area, stopping the striker finishing a neat one-two with Diamanti. Andrea Pirlo stands menacingly over an inviting free kick, with his low effort only partially parried by Ejide. Parolo races onto the rebound but rushes his volley, flicking over from close range. What a chance for the Azzurri and Parolo on his international return.
OFF THE POST! More pain for Parolo as a low strike hits the foot of the near post from close range. The Parma midfielder was played through by a clever pass packed with disguise by Diamanit, but could not force a deflected effort beyond Ejide as the woodwork came to his rescue.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Ejide has stayed down following Parolo's effort hitting the frame, forcing a delay in play complete with obligatory Mexican wave. While that continues Nigeria have made a double change in attack, swapping the goalscorers Dike and Ameobi for Musa and Emenike. Ejdie also cannot continue and is replaced by normal number one Enyeama, while Italy swap Candreva for Cerci out wide.
Cerci quickly gets involved with direct running off the right flank, going for glory with a curling drive that went wide of the far post. Balotelli was far from amused that his run into space was not rewarded with a pass, having words with the Torino man after his effort skewed wide.
Balotelli peels wide and receives a brilliant diagonal pass from Diamanti, bringing down on his chest before striking towards the far post. His effort just has too curl behind it though, drifting beyond the far post to Enyeama's relief.
SAVE! Ogu comes close to forcing a late winner as his fierce effort from 20 yards forces Sirigu to make a brilliant late save. The Azzurri keeper was nearly caught out by the sheer force behind the strike, but parried before stopping Musa moments later. This match is still very much up for grabs.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Another change from both sides, with Poli replacing Giaccherini for Italy. Nigeria meanwhile have swapped Moses for Ideye Brown, throwing another forward into the mix in search of a decisive strike in the closing stages.
Balotelli fails to make contact with an inviting cross from Maggio, who picked out the striker with an effort full of pace and power drifted towards the far post. You sense that there is still another goal in this frenetic friendly.
Parolo loops another effort over the crossbar from point-blank range after Cerci's cross bounced in his direction, with the Parma man missing the target from eight yards. Nigeria clear their lines but are soon forced to retreat, with Ogu cautioned for a cynical challenge on Balotelli around 30 yards from goal. Pressure mounting on the Super Eagles.
Enyeama holds Pirlo's latest free kick, which stayed central enough to be claimed without concern. Nigeria then press forward and float a cross into the penalty area, but the delivery trickles wide.
OFF THE CROSSBAR! Diamanti takes over free-kick duties from Pirlo and that decision very nearly proves inspired. His curling effort looks destined to nestle inside the top corner but comes crashing back off the upright, with Nigeria able to scramble clear. Fractions away from a last-gasp winner.
YELLOW CARD! Mikel gets a late caution as frustration boils over at the sheer volume of free kicks Italy have been awarded in the last 10 minutes. The Super Eagles are just about holding firm though, as Enyeama parries a drive from Diamanti just outside the penalty area after a clever dart inside.
Onazi is just crowded out after racing clear on the counter in a late Nigeria break, with Cerci failing to deceive Enyeama with a low curling effort just moments later at the other end. What a finish, especially for a friendly.
FULL TIME: Italy 2-2 Nigeria
Well that was quite a spectacle, with fans in Craven Cottage getting more than their money's worth from a four-goal thriller full of attacking intent. Nigeria will probably take more positives from that display, holding a genuine World Cup contender with a much-changed side.
That just about does it for our live coverage from West London, as Italy and Nigeria share the spoils in an end-to-end encounter. Thanks for your company this evening and be sure to stick with Sports Mole for reaction from Fulham later tonight. Good evening!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
