Italy draw 1-1 with Paraguay

Cape Toen: Italy opened the defense of its World Cup title with a laborious 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Monday.

Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz headed in a goal in the 39th minute of the rainy Group F match, and Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi equalized from close range in the 63rd.

Standout Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon exited with an apparent nerve problem at halftime, eliminating another key member of the 2006 champions with midfielder Andrea Pirlo already out due to a left calf injury.

The other two teams in Group F, Slovakia and New Zealand, play Tuesday.