Nathan Ake's late goal punished a wasteful 10-man Italy as Netherlands rescued a scarcely deserved 1-1 draw in Turin on Monday.
2018 Friendlies
1-1
Match Events
3' OFFSIDE! Belotti goal disallowed
Italy have had a goal disallowed in just the third minute of the game. A free-kick from the right by Bonaventura was allowed to run into the path of Belotti, who had the simple task of poking it into the net from point blank range, but the referee spotted an infringement.
67' GOAL! Italy 1-0 Netherlands (Zaza)
Italy have taken the lead! A cross from the right evaded Van Dijk and Valencia striker Zaza slid in to poke the ball past Cillessen and into the net from just outside the six-yard box.
69' Red Card! Domenico Criscito sent off
Criscito has been shown a straight red card for a bad foul on Depay, who was through on goal he was pulled back.
88' GOAL! Italy 1-1 Netherlands (Ake)
IT'S THERE! Aké has equalised with just three minutes left, heading the ball down past Perin after Italy's defenders failed to mark him as Berghuis crossed from the Netherlands right. It's no less than the visitors deserve after a vastly improved second-half performance.
Match Report
Roberto Mancini's side, beaten 3-1 by France on Friday, spurned a plethora of chances before Simone Zaza finally struck in a clash between two nations who will assume the unfamiliar role of distant spectators during the World Cup.
But it was Ake who had the last say following Domenico Criscito's red card, the Bournemouth defender's header representing Netherlands' first goal in Italy since 1928.
With both countries looking to rebuild under new management following their respective failures to seal a spot in Russia, it appears as though Oranje boss Ronald Koeman has the more daunting task.
His men produced a largely underwhelming display, salvaged two minutes from time by a goal against numerically disadvantaged opponents.
Despite Ake's late heroics, the result extends Netherlands' winless run in friendlies against the Azzurri to 15 matches.
Line-ups
Italy XI: Domenico Criscito, Giacomo Bonaventura, Mattia Perin, Simone Verdi, Lorenzo Insigne, Daniele Rugani, Jorginho, Davide Zappacosta, Bryan Cristante, Andrea Belotti, Alessio Romagnoli
Subs: Leonardo Bonucci, Mario Balotelli, Simone Zaza, Mattia De Sciglio, Daniele Baselli, Matteo Politano, Domenico Berardi, Mattia Caldara, Rolando Mandragora, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Federico Chiesa
Netherlands XI: Ryan Babel, Vormer, Georginio Wijnaldum, Daley Blind, Marten de Roon, Jasper Cillessen, Memphis Depay, Tonny Vilhena, Virgil van Dijk, Hans Hateboer, M. de Ligt
Subs: Eljero Elia, Kevin Strootman, Daryl Janmaat, Zoet, Davy Pröpper, S. Padt, Stefan de Vrij, Steven Berghuis, Terence Kongolo, Nathan Aké, Quincy Promes, Weghorst