KAISERSLAUTERN (Reuters) - Italy and the United States slugged out a bruising 1-1 draw in the most controversial match of the World Cup so far in which three players were sent off in their Group E clash on Saturday.

Alberto Gilardino's opener for Italy was canceled out by a an own goal from Cristian Zaccardo, but the real talking point of an explosive match was a World Cup record-equalling three red cards shown by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda.

The U.S. finished with nine men and Italy with 10.

"I'm disappointed and angry," said Italy coach Marcello Lippi. "We didn't go into this match in the right frame of mind and we paid for that with the nervous way we played and with the mistakes we made."

Frustrated coach Bruce Arena added: "Two red cards in the space of five minutes is pretty harsh and I respect the team for the way they dealt with it."

The draw leaves the group wide open and all the teams can still qualify. Italy are top with four points ahead of Czech Republic and Ghana on three and the U.S. at the bottom with one. The Africans beat the Czechs 2-0 in Saturday's earlier match.

Italy : Buffon, Zaccardo (Del Piero 53rd min) Zambrotta,, De Rossi,  Nesta, Cannavaro, Perrotta, Pirlo, Toni (Iaquinta 60 min), Totti (Gattuso 34 min), Gilardino

Keller, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Convey (Conrad 51 min), Dempsey (Beasley 61 min), Donovan,  Mastroeni, McBride, Onyewu, Pope, Reyna

Scorers : Gilardino 21st minute (Italy), Zaccardo Own goal 26th minute (USA)

Red Cards - De Rossi 27th munite (italy), Mastoeni 44th minute (USA), Pope 46th minute (USA)