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.

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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.