Confederations Cup:Italy and Brazil both survived major scares in their opening games of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. In the evening game, the Azzurri went behind after a Landon Donovan penalty but the world champions struck three second half goals to avoid embarrassment against the USA.

Substitute Giuseppe Rossi of Villareal scored the equaliser and the third in injury time, either side of Daniele de Rossi's long range effort.

The USA played much of the game with 10 men after Ricardo Clark was sent off for a late tackle on Andrea Pirlo, but they took the lead from the spot in the 41st minute after Giorgio Chiellini pulled down Jozy Altidore.

Donovan converted with aplomb for a halftime lead.

Italy struggled to get back into the game after the break, prompting Marcelo Lippi to replace Gennaro Gattuso with Rossi, and the former Manchester United striker responded with a sweet left foot finish in the 58th minute.

De Rossi then unleashed a 40-yard effort past Tim Howard, with the aid of a slight deflection, before Rossi latched on to Pirlo’s cross to the put the game out of sight with a measured half volley.

Earlier, Brazil had to rely on a 90th-minute Kaka penalty to overcome Egypt and claim a barely-deserved 4-3 win to start their defence in Bloemfontein.

The South Americans looked to be on their way to an easy win in Group B after first-half goals from Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan opened up a 3-1 lead at the break.

But a fragile first-half defensive performance meant they never fully looked in control of the contest and two goals in as many minutes soon after the re-start, from Mohamed Shawky and first-half scorer Mohamed Zidan, had the Africans dreaming of a memorable win.

Those hopes were dashed a minute from time, however, when defender Ahmed Al Muhamadi handled a Lucio shot on the line and was given his marching orders.

Kaka, who had been a largely peripheral figure, then stepped up to coolly convert the spot-kick and deny Egypt.