Bendtner's brace gave Denmark a 2-1 lead after Pablo Osvaldo had opened the scoring, but Alberto Aquilani netted the equaliser in injury time.
That leaves Denmark trailing second-place Bulgaria on goal difference with one game left in Group B, even though the Bulgarians lost 2-1 to Armenia.
All smiles: Bendtner ignores the referee as he's shown a yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring
All square: Nicklas Bendtner beats Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon to make it 1-1
Back in it: Bendtner celebrates his first strike with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger
That leaves Denmark trailing
second-place Bulgaria on goal difference with one game left in Group B,
even though the Bulgarians lost 2-1 to Armenia.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen called the outcome 'an unreal feeling'.
Osvaldo, who signed for Southampton during the summer transfer window, took advantage of a Danish defensive failure to open the scoring in the 28th minute by cutting inside and curling the ball beyond goalkeeper Stephan Andersen.
After the goal, the Danes pushed forward and tested goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon several times, with Christian Eriksen's effort just missing the target in the 38th minute.
Bendtner finally provided the equaliser in the 45th minute with a downward header that bounced past Buffon and into the net.
He scored a similar goal with just over 10 minutes remaining to put Denmark ahead, and was then booked for taking his shirt off while celebrating.
The Arsenal striker had been suspended from the national side for six months for a drink driving incident.
The Danes kept pressing and hit the post twice in the second half, but Aquilani's late goal ruined the Danes' hopes of taking control of second place in the group.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen called the outcome 'an unreal feeling'.
Osvaldo, who signed for Southampton during the summer transfer window, took advantage of a Danish defensive failure to open the scoring in the 28th minute by cutting inside and curling the ball beyond goalkeeper Stephan Andersen.
After the goal, the Danes pushed forward and tested goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon several times, with Christian Eriksen's effort just missing the target in the 38th minute.
Bendtner finally provided the equaliser in the 45th minute with a downward header that bounced past Buffon and into the net.
He scored a similar goal with just over 10 minutes remaining to put Denmark ahead, and was then booked for taking his shirt off while celebrating.
The Arsenal striker had been suspended from the national side for six months for a drink driving incident.
The Danes kept pressing and hit the post twice in the second half, but Aquilani's late goal ruined the Danes' hopes of taking control of second place in the group.
Opener: Southampton striker Daniel Osvaldo slots past Denmark keeper Stephan Andersen to open the scoring
Colourful character: Osvaldo sticks out his tongue while celebrating his first-half strike
Battle: Denmark's Daniel Agger (right) challenges Italy striker Alberto Gilardino for the ball
Trouble: Bendtner received an £80,000 fine for displaying pants branded with bookmaker Paddy Power during Euro 2012
Late show: Alberto Aquilani (right) celebrates his equaliser with Alberto Gilardino
'It was quite a blow, we were close, it hurts.' midfielder William Kvist said.
Italy had already secured top place in Group B before the game in Copenhagen, remaining unbeaten in their eight previous matches.
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