Player ratings from GOAL.COM
ITALY
Buffon 9 – His penalty save was worth this rating alone, a stop that will go down as one of the great saves in European Championships history.
Zambrotta 5 – Shocking mistake for Mutu’s goal, and struggled at times to get the better of Rat.
Panucci 7.5 – Excellent at the back. Organised the defence, and scored Italy’s equaliser. Conceded the penalty, but it was a very poor decision by the referee, and that is being kind and diplomatic.
Chiellini 6.5 – Won everything in the air, and formed a decent partnership with Panucci. Created his partner’s goal with header towards the far post.
Grosso 8 – Outstanding again, particularly in the first half when he bombarded forward at will, and whipped in some great crosses.
De Rossi 6 – Slightly disappointing, but still much better than the players he replaced Ambrosini and Gattuso. Would have scored with a header if it wasn’t for a magnificent Lobont save.
Pirlo 6.5 – Kept Italy ticking in the middle of the park, but did not find any killer passes. His set-pieces were generally poor.
Perrotta 6.5 – Nothing eye-catching but he was crucial to Italy’s balance, which was the key to Italy’s fine first half. Donadoni blundered again by taking him off, thus completely unbalancing the side.
Camoranesi 7.5 – Italy’s best final-third player, he was involved in everything in the first half. Tired after the break.
Del Piero 5 – A massive disappointment. Missed an excellent early chance, and then never made an impact, leading to his eventual substitution.
Toni 7 – All that was missing from his performance was a goal, and in truth he did find the back of the net but was denied by a simply shocking decision from the linesman. Could have had a hat-trick today. Unlucky.
Subs
Cassano 7 – A bright spark after coming on, but Donadoni replaced him for the wrong player, meaning he was playing in an unbalanced team. Once again Donadoni got it all wrong.
Quagliarella 6 – Did not get enough touched to make an impact in the game.
Ambrosini N/A – Only played a few minutes at the end.
ROMANIA
Labont 9 – A series of stunning saves to deny the Italians. The stops from Toni and De Rossi headers were world class.
Contra 6.5 – Sound down the right flank, even if he was left exposed in the first half to Grosso’s forward thrusts.
Tamas 8 – Outstanding. A rock in defence. Also good in possession, and went close with a long range free kick.
Goian 7 – Continued his solid partnership with Tamas, as the pair impressed for the second game running.
Rat 6.5 – Did really well going forward, but was caused a few problems defensively by Camoranesi in the first half.
Petre 4.5 – Very poor. Torn apart by Grosso, and also missed a fine chance at 1-1 to put his side back ahead.
Chivu 7 – A class act once again in the middle of the park. Took control in the second half after Perrotta went off the field. Hit post with a deflected free kick.
Radoi 6 – Made a steady start to the game until he was substituted after just 20 minutes due to a facial injury.
Codrea 6 – Lots of quantity in midfield but not too much quality. Made one goal saving tackle on Perrotta.
Mutu 7.5 – A quiet first half, but outstanding after the break. Put Romania ahead, created a one-on-one chance for Petre, but unfortunately missed a penalty. However it wasn’t really a miss, it was a wonder-save from Buffon.
Niculae 6 – Busy and industrious throughout although he maybe should have been more involved.
Subs
Dica 6.5 - Replaced Radoi early on, and largely did well. Inventive, intricate and tricky in possession.
Nicolita 6 - Did much better than the player he replaced, and contributed to Romania's sound final third to the game.
Cocis N/A - Brought on to run down the clock.
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The mistake was not using that idea from the start.
