#FIFAWorldCup2014 England v/s Italy: Mario Balotelli’s crucial GOAL helps Italy 2-1 win over England

Raheem Sterling, just signed by Liverpool’s then manager Rafa Benitez and showing dribbling ability not unlike the club’s former England great John Barnes.

Fast forward four years, in the oppressive humidity of the Amazonian city of Manaus with the world’s eyes watching, and Sterling showed he belongs in the very best international company. Despite a disappointing 2-1 defeat in England’s World Cup Group D opener against Italy on Saturday, he proved to be a ray of light piercing the thick jungle canopy. Minutes into the match, Sterling picked up the ball from deep and surged forward before arrowing in an effort which looked destined for the corner before eventually slamming into the side netting.

Playing with a freedom so often absent among England players who seem burdened by the weight of frequent failure, he had Italy’s defenders panicking from the start in a first-half performance of genuine quality. After Italy took the lead it was Sterling who set the wheels in motion for England’s well-worked equaliser, picking up the ball deep, striding forward and sliding a pass to the left where Wayne Rooney crossed for Daniel Sturridge to swat the ball home.

Mario Balotelli’s goal was the crucial one, and Andrea Pirlo produced moments of magic. England looked tired and struggled for possession through the second half.

90 + 4′ Almost a goal for Italy off the free kick, the ball hits the cross bar as the England keeper had no idea of the ball. Brilliant kick from Andrea Pirlo that.

90 + 2′ Sterling gets a yellow card, first card of the match

90′ Sterling beats Pirlo with a turn of pace, before firing the ball high into the stands.

89′ England win a corner, but Rooney is unable to turn a header towards the goal

88′ The home crowd are getting behind Italy as we reach the last few minutes. England look tired, unable to change the direction of play

85‘ Steven Gerrard’s free kick fails to test Sirigu as it goes over the goal

83′ Italy are shutting shop here, Sterling delivers an awful cross from the right flank

82′ Johnson can’t get beyond the Italian defence as England scramble to find the second goal

80′ England substitution: Daniel Sturridge is limping and he is gonna come off. Adam Lallana comes in.

79′ Italy substitute Marco Parolo for Candreva

77′ Baines gets a free kick but Sirigu is at full stretch to make another save

75′ Incredibly, England are in no hurry for the equaliser as Italy continue to hold possession.

73′ Mario Balloteli gets substituted by Ciro Immobile for Italy. England substitute Jack Wilshare for Jordan Henderson. Immobile has been in great scoring form, don’t go by his name!

70′ With 20 minutes left, Italy are holding most of the possession and England are looking tired

67′ Great play from Sterling! The youngster weaves beyond Marchisio and Chiellini, before playing a cross along the six yard box.

65′ 19-year-old Sterling is down with cramps, the first sign of fatigue. But he has been impressive tonight.

62′ What a miss from Wayne Rooney! Baines slips an intelligent ball through to Rooney, who just about manages to stay onside. He cuts infield onto his stronger right foot, but drags his eventual drive wide of the near post. That was just 10 yards from the goal.

61′ England substitute Ross Barkley for Danny Welbeck

59′ Italy have held 59% of the possession to England’s 41. Everything else is pretty close – 9 shots for England to Italy’s 10 and 3 shots on target for England to Italy’s 4

57′ Thiago Motta substituted for Marco Verratti – there’s the first substitution of the game – by Italy. How long before England bring in Lampard? But Barkley is warming up.

51′ Some fantastic running from Sturridge, he races beyond two Italian defenders and into the penalty area, but overruns slightly and Italy make a clearance

50′ GOAL! It’s Super Mario who makes it 2-1 for Italy. What a header!

48′ England get a corner

47′ We are back for the second half. There have been no substitutions at the break

HALF-TIME

45′ At half-time, the match is poised at 1-1

43′ Wayne Rooney is having to do a lot more defensive work than normal

41‘ A few minutes before the break and England fans are finding their voice due to the goal

37′ GOAL! Another goal, this time by Daniel Sturridge and England have equalised! Assist by Wayne Rooney

35′ GOAL! Italy draw first blood, Marchisio is the man, he puts it through the full wall of defence

31′ Around 15 minutes left until the interval, with both sides keen to find the breakthrough goal. Plenty of hard running is behind put in by all involved, though England are doing more of it without the ball.

24′ Almost a goal for England. Italy’s Barzagli intercepts Sturridge to drive the ball into the corner just in time

22′ Great teamwork from Gerrard and Sterling as Gerrard plays a beautiful crossfield ball to pick out Sterling on the left hand side, allowing for the debutant to break to the byeline and drill in a cross, but Paletta blocks it.

21′ Debutant Sterling tries to do too much and loses possession of the ball to De Rossi

19′ Candreva with a great strike Italy are keeping much more of the ball, given their talented midfield trio. Candreva tries an audacious shot from 30 yards which is blocked by the England defence in time

18′ Mario Balotelli has been the only constant presence in England’s 18-yard area for Italy.

16′ Very measured football from both sides so far, its even stevens. However the fans are baying for more aggressive football

15‘ The first 15 minutes have been uneventful except that Italy have regained their composure and are keeping the ball deep in the English half

10′ Italy have begun to settle into their groove

9′ Italy take a few half-chances as England’s defence gets bogged down

7′ Some strange errors from Italy in the first few minutes.

5′ Sirigu makes the save for Italy. England are putting up a powerful challenge in the early going, they keep pushing Italy’s defence back

4′ Almost a goal from the 19-year-old Sterling. The debutant tries his luck from 30 yards, a long-range strike into the side netting

3′ England attempt to keep the ball in the early stages, which is booed by this crowd.

1′ The national anthems are over and here we go

The teams have taken to the field. The heat is sapping.

Interestingly, Frank Lampard is in the subs for England

England starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Rooney, Welbeck; Sturridge.

Italy starting line-up (4-3-3): Sirigu; Darmian, Paletta, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo, De Rossi, Pirlo; Candreva, Balotelli, Marchisio.

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Source: CNN