Buffon ties Cannavaro for Italian caps record

Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has equaled Fabio Cannavaro's record of 136 international appearances for the Azzurri. (AP/Alfredo Falcone)

TURIN, Italy — Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has equaled Fabio Cannavaro’s record of 136 international appearances for the Azzurri.

Buffon started the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on Tuesday to match the now retired Cannavaro’s number of caps.

The match is being played at the Juventus Stadium — a fitting location for Buffon, who has spent his entire club career at Juventus.

Buffon made his Italy debut aged 19 on a snowy field in Moscow when he replaced the injured Gianluca Pagliuca midway through the first leg of a crucial qualifying playoff against Russia to reach the 1998 World Cup.

The 35-year-old Buffon was a key player in Italy’s victory in the 2006 World Cup.

Italy can qualify for the 2014 World Cup if it beats the Czech Republic.

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