Italy came from behind to defeat the United States 3-1 in their opening Confederations Cup match in Pretoria as Italo-American substitute Giuseppe Rossi scored twice for the Azzurri.

After Ricardo Clark saw red, Landon Donovan opened the scoring from the penalty spot only to see former Manchester United man Rossi come on in the second half to smash home an equaliser then add a third goal deep into injury-time, with Daniele De Rossi also on target in between.

The CONCACAF champions looked a match for world champions Italy in the first half, experienced LA Galaxy star Donovan more than a handful in the middle of the park.

He threaded through Michael Bradley of Borussia Moenchengladbach then Jozy Altidore of Villarreal, only for both to scuff across goal when they should have hit the target - and in the latter's case, scored.

There were a few tasty challenges as the sides met for the first time since a fiery game in the 2006 World Cup, during which three players including De Rossi saw red.

Another name was added to that dubious list when Ricardo Clark was sent off on 33 minutes for an ill-timed lunge on Gennaro Gattuso after losing control of the ball while tussling with Andrea Pirlo.

A minute before Donovan gave the 10 men the lead, Italy saw a goal ruled out for offside: Jonathan Bornstein put through his own goal while sliding to defend a Pirlo through-ball intended for Mauro Camoranesi, but the Azzurri midfielder was close enough to the defender to be deemed to be interfering with play.

The USA went up the field and Altidore was blocked by Giorgio Chiellini in the penalty area; Chilean referee Pablo Pozo pointed to the spot and Donovan stroked home for 1-0.

The USA defended deep in the second half, but were still a threat from set-pieces as Italy became more and more frustrated.

Rossi made the difference on 59 minutes, within only two of appearing from the bench with Riccardo Montolivo in place of Gattuso and Camoranesi.

Villarreal's America-born striker, who chose to represent his father's nation Italy over the States, won the ball in midfield and ran with it before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the goal halfway up.

Thirteen minutes later the USA again backed off as De Rossi came forward from the left - and the hard man curled a powerful shot into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the excellent Tim Howard.

DaMarcus Beasley and Sacha Kljestan appeared as the USA went looking for an equaliser, but were pegged back by a more confident Italy: the latter went closest in the 89th minute when he dipped a shot from distance just over with Gianluigi Buffon beaten.

Rossi and strike partner Luca Toni, who had subsequently also appeared from the bench, had close-range shots blocked by Howard in injury-time before Rossi scored his second and Italy's third in the fourth minute of time added on, Pirlo scooping the ball back from the by-line and the 21-year-old frontman crashing into the net on the half-volley.

Italy top the group from Brazil, who had earlier beaten Egypt, while the USA and the Africans are yet to get off the mark.

On Thursday Brazil face the US and Italy come up against Egypt.

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