International Friendly: Germany 1 Italy 1

A late equaliser from Giuseppe Rossi denied Germany their first win over Italy in 16 years on Wednesday, with the sides drawing 1-1 in Dortmund.

At Signal Iduna Park, where the Italians inflicted a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat on the Germans in the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup, the Azzurri once again broke German hearts after Miroslav Klose’s 16th minute goal was cancelled out by Rossi’s intervention nine minutes from time.

The hosts were the first to find their feet, with Klose capitalising on some nice build up play from Mesut Oezil and Thomas Mueller to open the scoring with a shot past Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal.

Klose could have scored a second moments later when another Oezil pass put him through on goal, but this time Buffon made a crucial save.

Italy were sparked into life when Daniele de Rossi forced a good save from German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a well-hit volley.

The visitors could have been awarded a penalty after Per Mertesacker appeared to foul AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano, but the referee allowed play to go on.

The Italians almost found themselves level when substitute Marco Borriello had his effort saved by Neuer, and another new addition, Alberto Aquilani, went close with a long-range effort that flashed wide of the post.

Just as it appeared as though the German’s would finally break their Italian hoodoo, substitute Rossi bobbed up to turn beyond Mertesacker and slot a shot past Neuer.

Germany surged forward in search of a winner, but their efforts were denied as Buffon saved a late Sami Khedira strike to ensure a share of the spoils.