SUC-CESC ... Spanish midfielder Fabregas celebrates his equaliser

ANDRES INIESTA told Cesc Fabregas: Thanks for saving our bacon.

Fabregas equalised on 64 minutes, just four minutes after sub Antonio Di Natale had given the Italians the lead in Gdansk.

Iniesta said: “We had to get an equaliser quickly, so they couldn’t settle down in the game and camp inside their own half.

“This goal, with the pass of David Silva and the finishing of Cesc, put us back in the game.”

Manchester City ace Silva slid the ex-Arsenal skipper through and he fired past Gianluigi Buffon.

The Spanish were furious that UEFA left the pitch unwatered.

Xavi rapped: “It compromised our fluid and dynamic passing game.”

Italy’s Mario Balotelli was hauled off moments after blowing a sitter.

But boss Cesare Prandelli insisted: “It wasn’t to punish him.”