Italy 2 Spain 2, November 18th 1998

In the absence of Del Piero and Vieri through injury, Filippo Inzaghi of Juventus stepped out of their shadow to hit his first international goals.

It ably demonstarted the depth of talent that coach Dino Zoff can command and Inzaghi's runs and strikes were prompted for the most part by AS Roma captain Francesco Totti - playing only his second full international.

Italy performed well in the absence of their stricken legends but the Spain side who earned a draw with a later peanlty from Raul were impressive and willing to attack a defence that was strongly marshalled by Fabio Cannavaro. It was his error - a foul on Juan Sanchez - that gave the Spanish side the chance for parity.

The home side opened the stronger and showed their willingness to atack under new coach Zoff from the early stages. The more Totti received the ball though the more it looked as if those attacks would bring reward and so it proved in the 14th minute when his pass produced a fine piece of Inzaghi control in the area and the Juve striker's familiar spin and volley into the net. Most of his goals come in this one swift movement of his skinny angular body but this was the first time that it had earned him a goal for the national side.

Spain overcame this with afine move that put Francisco De Pedro through for a clear header in the 33rd minute.

An even second half was climaxed for the Italians by Inzaghi's shot on the run that whipped low past Canizares in the Spanish goal. Spain had joy of their own to look forward to when Raul struck the clean penalty kick into the net for the 82nd minute leveller.