Italy's victory over Japan puts them into Confederations Cup semi-finals

Posted Thursday, June 20, 2013 by theguardian.com

• Last-four place secured after seven-goal thriller in Group A
• Brazil also proceed into semis after beating Mexico 2-0

Italy's victory over Japan puts them into Confederations Cup semi-finals
Italy's Sebastian Giovinco celebrates after scoring
the winning goal during his side's Group A win against Japan

Italy won 4-3 against Japan in a pulsating Group A game in the Confederations Cup in Brazil to put them into the semi-finals and knock out their opponents.

Sebastian Giovinco scored the winning goal on 86 minutes after Japan had got back to 3-3 on 69 minutes through Shinji Okazaki. In the dying seconds Japan thought they had salvaged a draw with a close-range effort, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Italy had been behind 2-1 until Japan's Atsuto Uchida put into his own net on 50 minutes and brought the scores level.

In Group A's other match, Brazil secured a place in the semi-finals as they defeated Mexico 2-0 at Estadio Castelao.

Neymar scored after nine minutes and then set up Jo in stoppage time for the second goal.

Brazil and Italy both have six points in the group, with Mexico and Japan on zero points.