| Cagliari paid the price for wasting their chances and are still looking for their first win of the campaign. Cagliari's form at the Sant'Elia was their strength last season, but without a win here in nine games, things were looking increasingly desperate for the Sardinians. Livorno need to keep their discipline in check after a spate of dismissals, which ruled Fabio Galante and Stefano Morrone out of this tie, while Francesco Coco returned from his ban.
Marco Amelia got down well to block David Suazo's attempt from the edge of the box. The Honduras international wasted a glorious chance when he had two shots charged down by a defender, hesitating a little too long before pulling the trigger.
Cristiano Lucarelli and Capone had chances saved, but Cagliari were extremely unlucky when Daniele Conti's free kick rattled the crossbar.
Suazo had another shot deflected inches wide of the target after leaving the Livorno goalkeeper stranded.
Straight after the restart, Suazo was brought down by Vargas and the referee pointed to the spot. The Honduras striker elected to take the penalty himself and buried the kick to give Cagliari a thoroughly deserved lead.
However, Cagliari were made to pay for all those wasted opportunities, as Matteo Melara nodded in a corner kick to draw Livorno level.
In the closing stages, substitute Antonio Langella nodded Mauro Esposito's cross over the bar from a promising position and Amelia performed another save on Langella.
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