WORLD CUP: Italy takes all the points from England
opener as Claudio Marchisio and Mario
Balotelli scored to hand Italy a 2-1 victory in
their Group D clash in the hothouse of
Manaus.
Italy struck first when Marchisio drilled a low
shot past Joe Hart after 35 minutes following
a well-worked corner.
England's response was immediate with
Daniel Sturridge firing home at the back post
just two minutes later following a slick move
involving Raheem Sterling and Wayne Rooney.
But the Azzurri restored their lead on 50
minutes when Balotelli headed home at the
back post after the left-side of England's
defence - often exploited throughout the game
by the Italians - was left exposed once too
often.
Roy Hodgson's side had several efforts on
goal as they tried to get back into the game,
but in Salvatore Sirigu - only drafted into the
Azzurri side following an injury to first-choice
Gianluigi Buffon - they found a keeper in
excellent form as Italy held on to join Costa
Rica on three points at the top of Group D.
It had all started so promisingly for an attack-
minded England line-up, with Sterling and
Jordan Henderson trying their luck from
distance amidst the stifling heat of the
Amazonia.
Antonio Candreva forced Joe Hart into a
fumbled save following a shot from distance,
while Balotelli's effort from a similar distance
sailed over.
Danny Welbeck's low ball into the box almost
forced Italy into an own goal with Andrea
Barzagli deflecting the ball just wide of
Sirigu's goal.
But after a spell of Italian pressure, Cesare
Prandelli's team took the lead when a well-
worked Italian corner saw the ever-impressive
Andrea Pirlo step over the ball and leave his
Juventus team-mate Marchisio to drill in a
low shot from 25 yards that gave Hart no
chance.
But England were back on level terms on 37
minutes when Sterling's fine ball picked out
Rooney on the left and his cross was fired in
first time by Sturridge at the back post. In the
aftermath of the goal - and in one of the most
bizarre incidents of the tournament so far -
England physio Gary Lewin suffered a
suspected dislocated ankle and had to be
stretchered away from the technical area.
England then had two scares on the field as
half-time approached, first when Balotelli's
goal-bound chip evaded the stranded Hart,
but was brilliantly headed off the line by Phil
Jagielka, before Marchisio's low shot from a
tight angle struck the base of Hart's post.
The Three Lions made lively start as the
second half got underway, with Sturridge
skipping inside a Daniele De Rossi challenge
before seeing his 25-yard shot beaten away
by Sirigu.
But it was Italy who made the telling
breakthrough five minutes into the restart
when they again exposed the huge spaces on
the left side of England's defence, Candreva's
cross picking out Balotelli, who found space
at the back post to head past Hart.
England had a great chance to draw level for a
second time when Rooney drilled a low just
shot wide of goal with Sirigu beaten, while the
PSG stopper had to be alert to push out a low
shot from substitute Ross Barkley.
Leighton Baines' free-kick then forced Sirigu
into another save, while Gerrard's effort from a
similar distance flew comfortably over the
Azzurri goal.
Pirlo's dipping free-kick then struck the
crossbar in injury-time as the Italian master
looked to have the final word on proceedings.
But it mattered little as Italy held on to claim a
vital victory, ahead of their clash with fellow
table-toppers Costa Rica on Thursday.
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