Spain v Italy - in pictures

The European champions have brought an army of fans with them for their opening fixture against Italy Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

... while Italy have brought a player who is his own biggest fan - the inimitable Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The press pack watch from on high Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

David Silva goes on the attack as the Italians try collectively to thwart his intricate play Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

The Italians are a bullish bunch - here, Giorgio Chiellini denies Gerard Pique Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

Thiago Motta gets to grips with Cesc Fabregas Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Balotelli is being a scamp, as usual. He soon earns himself a yellow card Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Iker Casillas makes a fine reaction save late in the first half to deny Italy. It's 0-0 at half-time Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Balotelli is guilty of wasting an extraordinary chance in the second half when he wins possession from Sergio Ramos on the flank but then dallies in front of goal, allowing Ramos to chase him down and tackle him from behind. That's the last action from Balotelli - he's being hauled off Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

But profligacy isn't a trait shared by his replacement. Antonio Di Natale scores with a delightful finish in the 60th minute from Andrea Pirlo's pass, opening his body up before sweeping the ball around Casillas Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Di Natale looks delighted. Italy are worthy of their lead Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

But it lasts only four minutes as Spain prize open the narrowest of gaps in the Italian defence and Cesc Fabregas - running into the centre of the box to receive the final, diagonal pass - tucks the ball home Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Spain, who lost their first group match before becoming World Champions two years ago, are now back on level terms. Can they go on to win this? Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Fernando Torres comes on for Spain, but he spurns two great chances to win the match for his side. First, he's challenged by the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon when clean through on goal, then he sends an ambitious lob over the bar Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

That's it. The final whistle has blown. Only the goalkeepers look particularly happy with the draw Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

As the sun fades behind the stadium and the fans head home, they may reflect that a draw was a fair result in the end. Final score 1-1 Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images