Balotelli the hero as Italy pip England

The second game in Group D of this year’s FIFA World Cup featured two former Champions in Italy and England. The last time these two European Powerhouses met at a major tournament was at the last Euro two years ago. The Azzurri prevailed over the Three Lions on that occasion. Their last World Cup encounter however was way back in 1990 in the third place game with the Italians also getting the better of the English. The Italians were trying to erase bad memories of a miserable title defense in South Africa four years ago when, as reigning World Champions, they crashed out at the group stage without a win. It was England who mounted the first meaningful attack in the 4^th minute but Sterling’s shot went wide. They continued to press and Sirigu was forced into making a save from Henderson in the 5^th. In the 12^th minute Welbeck had a chance to give England the lead but it just missed the target. Moments later Sturridge had a shot but it went a begging. The Italians found themselves on the back foot for many moments in the opening 17 minutes and struggled at times to mount any threatening attack. Candreva did have a shot in 19^th minute which England custodian Hart fumbled a bit but luckily for England danger was averted. In the 23^rd minute, Balotelli had an effort for Italy that went just wide.

England began asking questions of the Italian defenders as they scrambled to repel another England threat. In the 32^nd minute England got a free kick but Gerard’s weak effort was saved by Sirigu. In the 34^th minute though, Italy got a corner and a brilliant dummy from Pirlo left the English defenders bewildered as they scrambled to organize in their penalty area and Marchisio fired in past Joe Hart in the England goal to give Italy the lead. Italian celebrations were short-lived however, as a great play from Rooney split the Italian defense and Strurridge leveled the scores with a simple tap-in. It was now Italy 1, England 1 with the match still hanging in the balance. It would be the Italians who finished the half the stronger team though as Baines was forced to make a clearance from Balotelli and Candreva was denied by the England post. At half time the score was level at 1-1. In the second half, a great play from Sturridge forced Sirigu to make a save. But the resulting corner was wasted and Italy survived. Soon though Italy were back in front as a great pass from Candreva found Balotelli and the AC Milan forward headed powerfully past Hart to restore the Italian lead. England tried to respond with efforts from Rooney and Sterling in the 54^th and 55^th minutes respectively but it was not much to give the Italians trouble. Italy then made a substitution in the 57^th minute as Motta replaced Veratti.

In the 61^st Sturridge had another effort which just went agonizingly wide. A minute later Rooney squandered another opportunity for England as he missed the target once again. In the 64^th Barkley forced the Italian goalie to make a save and Italy breathed a temporary sigh of relief. In the 74^th Prandelli replaced Balotelli with Immobile and Hodgson replaced Henderson with Wiltshere. In the 77^th minute England won a freekick after Chiellini brought down Sturridge, but Sirigu bravely pushed the effort to safety. Candreva was then replaced by Parolo for Italy and England replaced Sturridge with Lallana to help salvage something in the match for The Three Lions. In the 85^th England got a dangerous free kick to try to force an equalizer, but Gerard’s effort went high and wide. England continued to press to find the game-tying goal and forced a corner in the 88^th minute, but Italy once again survived the scare.

 There was still five minutes of added on time for England to find their way back in the match. On 92 minutes Sterling found himself in the referee’s book for a foul. Italy then got a free kick in the 93^rd and they went agonizingly close to making it 3-1, only to be denied by the England cross bar. In the end the Azzurri managed to hold on for full points. It was their first World Cup win in almost eight years.