ON-SONG BUFFON ENDS UP STRANDED

GIANLUIGI BUFFON went from belting out the Italian national anthem — as he does — to behaving like a bungling goalkeeper by flapping at a couple of early Costa Rican corners. The Azzurri’s most-capped player was looking a little rusty but then an ankle injury had kept him out of the opener against England. Buffon (pictured) was back to his old self, though, when Bryan Ruiz launched a menacing drive, which the veteran goalie pushed away. However, the Italian No 1 was caught in no-man’s land minutes later as Ruiz headed home Junior Diaz’s superb cross.