Italy 2, England 1 on Balotelli's winning goal

15 มิถุนายน 2557

It was not the cautious encounter predicted as both sides attacked, but Italy was just a little better with former Manchester City player Mario Balotelli scoring the winner.

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England's goalkeeper Joe Hart (bottom) fails to save Italy's first goal during the Group D football match between England and Italy at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Click here to see all the goals described in the story. They are good ones. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186513/index.html

Balotelli sinks England in muggy Manaus

Mario Balotelli's second-half header earned Italy a 2-1 victory over an enterprising England side in an engaging World Cup Group D opener in Manaus on Saturday.

Amid muggy conditions in the Amazon rainforest city, Claudio Marchisio drilled Italy in front in the 35th minute, only for Daniel Sturridge to equalise two minutes later after a sweeping England counter-attack.

With 19-year-old Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling to the fore, England displayed plenty of endeavour, but they were ultimately undone by former Manchester City striker Balotelli's goal shortly after half-time.

His header prevented England from avenging their defeat on penalties by Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 and left Cesare Prandelli's side well placed ahead of Friday's meeting with Costa Rica – shock 3-1 victors against Uruguay earlier in the day – in Recife.

England manager Roy Hodgson drew encouragement from his youthful side's attacking vigour, but victory against a hurting Uruguay will now be imperative when the teams collide in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

"It is a bit tough to accept we lost the game," Hodgson told the BBC.

While Salvatore Sirigu deputised for the injured Gianluigi Buffon in goal for Italy, Hodgson sprang something of a surprise by fielding Sterling as a number 10, which obliged Wayne Rooney to play on the left.

Sterling was quick to catch the eye at the Amazonia Arena, lashing a 30-yard shot into the side netting, and his example encouraged Jordan Henderson to test Sirigu at his near post with a powerful strike.

As England continued to press, Sterling drilled a cross across goal, before Italy centre-back Andrea Barzagli toed a centre from Danny Welbeck across the face of his own goal and wide.

England seemed to be building up a head of steam, but perhaps emboldened by their good fortune, Italy went ahead.

Following a short corner on the right, Andrea Pirlo cleverly dummied a pass from Marco Verratti for Marchisio, who exploited oceans of space to steady himself and drive a shot into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

England's forward Daniel Sturridge scores past Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

If England felt hard done-by, they did not show it, for within two minutes they were level thanks to a goal of delightful simplicity.

Sterling's glorious pass released Rooney on the left and the Manchester United man dispatched a delicately weighted left-foot cross that Sturridge crashed home on the half-volley.

Italy finished the first half on top, Phil Jagielka heading off the line from Balotelli, before Antonio Candreva hit the post with a snapshot, and it was to prove an ominous portent of things to come.

Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (C) heads the ball to score what was to be the winning goal. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

After Sirigu had parried a low strike from Sturridge, in the 50th minute Candreva cut inside Leighton Baines with embarrassing ease on the Italy right and crossed for Balotelli to nod his side ahead from close range. AFP

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