A third high profile goalkeeping error in the first four days of the 2010 World Cup denied Paraguay a famous win over reigning champions Italy in Cape Town. Justo Villar's failure to land a punch on a Pepe corner midway through the second half secured a point for an Italian team who had been rocked by Antolin Alcaraz's headed goal shortly before half-time.

Tuesday's newspapers will no doubt be laden with "escape from Alcaraz" puns attributed to the Italians but that description remains apt, with the Azzurri rarely causing Villar any serious trouble before or after his mistake. Marcello Lippi's side enjoyed a surge in momentum following their opportunistic goal, having looked flat up to that point. And while they looked assured in possession, they were lacking in the necessary attacking ingenuity to see off their little fancied opponents.

After early nerves had settled, the match - played in sodden surroundings after an ongoing heavy rainfall throughout the day - descended into a midfield slugfest, with neither side carving out clear shots on goal. Indeed, the arrival of the opening goal came as much of a surprise as the Italians' strike did the other side of the interval.

The stalemate was ended six minutes from the break from a set piece lined up fully 40 yards from the goal on the right inside flank. Aureliano Torres' deep free-kick whipped dangerously through the rain and wind to the penalty spot, where Italian pair Daniele de Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro were poised to clear.

Both though were pipped to the ball by defender Alcaraz, a recent signing for Wigan Athletic, who got between the pair to connect perfectly and nod into the bottom corner of Gianluigi Buffon's net, giving the South American side a surprise lead.

Buffon made way at the break seemingly through injury, replaced by Cagliari's Federico Marchetti in goals for what was only his seventh cap. But the 27-year-old went untested throughout the second half, as Italy went in search of restoring parity.

After 63 minutes, having controlled possession from the referee's whistle at the start of the second half but not going close to making it 1-1, they were gifted their chance to level. Pepe's corner from the left hand side was flighted into the near post area, a space goalkeeper Villar felt comfortable enough to cover and lunge at the ball with a one handed punch. 

His efforts were misjudged though, the Valladolid keeper allowing the ball to evade his outstretched fist and land kindly on the foot of an onrushing de Rossi, who got between the unaware Paraguay defenders to steer into the net from close range unchallenged.

The boost of landing an equaliser inspired Italy to surge forward in greater numbers, with manager Lippi sending on Antonio di Natale for Gilardino in an attempt to find a winner. The Italians pressed on in vain for a comeback three points, but only Montolivo went close with a tidy effort, denied by Villar who was clearly seeking vindication for his earlier error.

Paraguay demonstrated their depth by sending on star strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo in an attempt to bolster their attack but neither managed to get a foothold in affairs, with their team more occupied in trying to keep their opponents at bay.

Italy though ultimately disappointed in their endeavours to grab a winner, failing to find a way through a busy Paraguyan defence eager to salvage at least a point for themselves after having being on course for a famous three.