Reigning European champions Spain played out a 1-1 draw with Italy in their international friendly on Thursday night.
Lorenzo Insigne sent the home side into a 68th-minute lead in Udine, but Aritz Aduriz struck his first Spain goal on his first appearance for La Roja since 2010 to secure a share of the spoils.
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Italy boss Antonio Conte recalled Thiago Motta to his squad earlier this month and the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder went into a midfield that also included Emanuele Giaccherini and Marco Parolo, while it was Southampton's in-form striker Graziano Pelle chosen to lead the attack.
As for Spain, Aduriz was given his first cap for La Roja since 2010, while David de Gea was chosen between the sticks ahead of Iker Casillas. Mikel San Jose also joined Athletic Bilbao teammate in the starting XI.
Arguably, Vicente del Bosque's starting defence for Euro 2016 was also in place as Cesar Azpilicueta joined Juanfran, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos at the back.
Italy almost had the lead in the sixth minute when Antonio Candreva's wicked cross was turned towards the Spain goal by Ramos, but it flicked the outside of the post before dropping wide, sparing the Real Madrid defender's blushes.
Candreva was again involved for Italy in the 16th minute when he unleashed a powerful strike from distance, but De Gea was quickly across his goal to make a smart save. Candreva then sent a cross towards Pelle following a spell of home pressure, but the striker could not make contact at the far post.
The biggest cheer of the opening 20 minutes came following an occurrence on the touchline, however, with the linesman managing to take out Spain boss Del Bosque in an incident that ended with a smile and shake of hands.
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Eder had another chance for Italy in the 23rd minute after a smart pass from Pelle, but the attacker could not beat De Gea, before Giaccherini had a close-range strike blocked three minutes later.
It was the home team that continued to look the more likely as the first period entered its latter stages, with Candreva and Pelle both causing Spain problems in the final third of the field.
Spain's best chance of the first period came in the 38th minute when Alvaro Morata looked to slide a pass towards Aduriz inside the Italian box, but Gianluigi Buffon was out to clear at the vital moment.
Italy continued to threaten late in the half through Pelle, but De Gea remained bright to keep the score at 0-0 entering the half-time break of the international friendly.
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Spain boss Del Bosque introduced Koke and Nacho at the interval, while Italy quickly followed with Insigne, Simone Zaza and Federico Bernardeschi as both managers looked to freshen their teams.
Insigne brought a smart stop from De Gea as Italy came close just before the hour, before Leonardo Bonucci headed just wide from the resulting corner during a period of pressure from the home side.
De Gea came to Spain's aid once again in the 64th minute to keep out a strike from Alessandro Florenzi, but the goalkeeper could not prevent Insigne from converting a Giaccherini cross in the 68th minute to send Italy 1-0 ahead.
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Spain were level just two minutes later, however, when Aduriz notched his first Spain goal from close range after Buffon had kept out a header from Morata.
Insigne might have had a second for Italy 10 minutes from time when he chipped towards the far corner, but De Gea was on hand to make another stop for the away side.
Both teams continued to press forward in the latter stages, but neither could find a second as the two European rivals played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Spain will continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with a friendly against Romania on Sunday, while Italy are next in action away to Germany next Tuesday.
Matt Law
