Reigning champions Italy were forced to come from behind to draw 1-1 against Paraguay in the opening match of the Azzurri’s World Cup defence in Group F at the Cape Town Stadium.
Slack marking from Italy allowed defender Antolin Alcaraz to head the South Americans in front on 39 minutes.
Daniele De Rossi poked home after a goalkeeping howler by Justo Villar to bring Italy level 17 minutes after the second-half restart.
Marcello Lippi’s 2006 winners pressed for a winner but, in keeping with what was a dreary affair, they failed to create any genuine chances as the game petered out to a dry draw.