A thrilling World Cup warm up between Italy and Nigeria at Craven Cottage turned into a Tyne Wear derby as Shola Ameobi and Emanuele Giaccherini both got on the score sheet.

Nigeria had Ameobi to thank after the Newcastle striker, in only his fifth appearance for the Super Eagles, teed-up their equaliser before getting his team back on terms with a sumptuous volley in the first half.

Not to be outdone, Giaccherini made it a good night for Premier League players by smashing home Italy’s equaliser shortly after the restart as both sides seemed to forget this was only a friendly such was the intensity of the encounter.

Indeed, there was plenty on show to suggest both teams can light up next summer’s tournament in Brazil as passionate supporters from both sides were given full value on chilly night down by the Thames. Italy certainly impressed during their World Cup qualifying campaign, wrapping matters up with two games to spare.

But since making it to Brazil the Azzurri have played out three draws, two in the qualification dead rubbers against Denmark and Armenia and another in Friday’s friendly at the San Siro against Germany.

And having been thumped 4-0 by Spain in the final of the European Championships last summer it remains to be seen whether Cesare Prandelli’s side will indeed be serious World Cup contenders.

Nigeria’s recent form has also been impressive, the Super Eagles going unbeaten in their six group games before taking care of Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in the World Cup play-offs to book their place in Brazil.

But you must go back to France 1998, when the current Africa Cup of Nations champions beat Bulgaria, to find the last time Nigeria won a match at the World Cup finals.

More recently, Nigeria bowed out at the group stages in 2002 and 2010 without a win to their name. Consequently, both sides came into this friendly with plenty of reasons to begin the fine tuning process with the clock ticking down to Brazil.

Following the experimentation trend in international football of late, Prandelli, in his 50th game in charge, made eight changes from the side which drew with Germany while Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi opted for seven new faces from the side which beat Ethiopia in his first friendly in charge against European opposition.

With Nigeria’s fans making up for their numerical disadvantage by doing a decent job of matching the impressive volume levels being created by Italy’s support, the African side went closest in the opening exchanges as Victor Moses’ mishit free-kick whistled not too far wide.

But Italy soon looked to be into their stride after the early Nigeria pressure and, with 11 goals to his name for Fiorentina this season, Serie A’s top scorer, Giuseppe Rossi did not waste his chance after being put through by Mario Balotelli.

The former Manchester City striker, playing in his first game on English soil since moving to AC Milan, showed his customary strength and skill to hold off the challenge of Azubuike Egwuekwe before sliding an inch perfect pass into the pass of Rossi which was slotted home by Rossi in the 12th minute.

Looking comfortable in possession despite the changes in personnel, Italy continued to pressurise their opponents as the half wore on with Giaccherini carving out a decent chance for Riccardo Montolivo.

When Nigeria did get hold of the ball their delivery was too often found wanting, although the tricky runs of both Moses and Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi did at least stir up Nigeria’s support despite the lack of end product.

But Balotelli spurned a good chance to double Italy’s advantage just after the half-hour mark, shooting straight at Nigeria keeper Austine Ejide after a sweeping move involving Rossi and Montolivo.

And Italy’s failure to make such moves counts was punished ten minutes before the break when Nigeria finally found their range.

Picked out by Chelsea’s Jon Obi Mikel, Ameobi delivered a beautifully flighted cross for Bright Dike. Rising above marker Manuel Pasqual, Dike’s bullet header flew past Sirigu. Moments later the Paris St Germain keeper was picking the ball out of his net once again.

This time Ameobi was the recipient of a ball into the box from full-back Francis Benjamin. But it still required impressive skill from the Newcastle man to hold off Angelo Ogbonna and steer a volley past Sirigu.

But Italy were back on terms less than two minutes after the restart as Giaccherini was left unmarked in the Nigeria area to rifle in Antonio Candreva’ s ball.

A huge roar erupted from Italy’s fans as Andrea Pirlo was introduced with Prandelli turned to the Juventus midfielder to orchestrate matters. And Pirlo came close to putting Italy in front when Ejide could only palm his freekick into the path of fellow substitute Marco Parolo who somehow managed to put the rebound over the bar from close range.

Parolo was then unlucky to see his low drive strike the post as Italy continued to pile on the pressure while Balotelli sent a curling strike just wide.

But Nigeria were not throwing in the towel, substitute John Ogu producing a fine one-handed stop from Sirigu before Italy galloped up the other end Balotelli sliced Christian Maggio’s cross horribly wide from close range.

Former West Ham star Alessandro Diamanti came agonisingly close to sealing the win for Italy with four minutes to go, his wonderfully executed free-kick smacking the bar with Ejide well beaten as Nigeria hung on in a frenetic finale.

—Daily Mail