World Cup

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Attendance: 39,706

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 24, 2014 at 5pm UK

Italy
0-1
Uruguay

Marchisio (60')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Godin (81')

Half-Time Report: Italy, Uruguay draw blanks

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor

Published: June 24 2014 | 17:48

Last updated: June 24 2014 | 18:36

Italy and Uruguay both fail to score during the opening 45 minutes of their crucial World Cup clash in Natal.

Italy and Uruguay have both failed to score during the opening 45 minutes of their crucial World Cup clash in Natal.

The Italians started the contest brightly, and they came close to finding the net on 12 minutes as Andrea Pirlo's free kick was pushed away by Fernando Muslera.

The Azzurri continued to dominate, but they were dealt a blow midway through the half when Mario Balotelli picked up a yellow card that will rule him out of the last 16 should his team get there.

Uruguay's forward Luis Suarez and Italy's midfielder Claudio Marchisio vie during the Group D football match between Italy and Uruguay at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 24, 2014 © Getty Images

Despite Italy's control of the match, Uruguay almost took the lead against the run of play on 33 minutes as Luis Suarez saw his shot on the angle kept out by the agile Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy tried to unlock the Uruguayan defence after that scare, but the South Americans stood firm to go in level at the break.