The pressure was firmly on Roberto Donadoni's shoulders after Italy's 3-0 defeat to Holland in their opening game, while Romania had shown they are no mugs by holding France to a 0-0 draw.

The Italians were reeling on 55 minutes when Mutu pounced on a defensive error by Gianluca Zambrotta to give his side the lead - but it was 1-1 a minute later as Christian Panucci tapped in from close range following a corner.

Panucci was then shell-shocked 10 minutes from time when referee Tom Ovrebo harshly awarded a penalty for a challenge in the box - but Gianluigi Buffon was Italy's saviour as he brilliantly saved Mutu's spot-kick.

It was one of the games of the tournament so far, with chances coming thick and fast at either end.

Mutu had a fierce left-footed strike saved by Buffon on 15 and minutes later Cristian Chivu's free-kick deflected off Panucci's backside, totally wrongfooting the Italy stopper, but smacked against the upright.

Romania keeper Bogdan Lobont was also a busy man, pulling off a one-handed save to deny Luca Toni's header before breathing a sigh of relief on 45 minutes as Toni's headed goal was ruled out for offside.

After the break, Mutu broke the deadlock when Zambrotta's back-header from a long punt into the Italian box left Buffon well short, and the former Chelsea striker dinked a half-volley into the roof of the net.

The Italians were level soon after, though, when a deep corner was headed back into the danger zone by Giorgio Chiellini and tapped in by Panucci.

Daniele De Rossi's header was well palmed away by Lobont on 75 - but it was his goalkeeping rival Buffon who stole the headlines late on.