England 1-2 Italy

Italy beat England by 2 goals to 1 in their opening match in group D of the World Cup in Manaus tonight. Goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli gave Cesare Prandelli's side victory.

Roy Hodgson's team started brightly and very nearly took the lead in the 4th minute. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling gathered possession in the Italian half. He went around the former Liverpool player Gabriel Paletta. Sterling shot from about 25 yards out. It was an excellent effort which hit the side netting. Soon after his Liverpool teammate Jordon Henderson was denied by a fine save from Salvatore Sirgiu in the Italian goal.

A long range shot from Antonio Candreva in the 19th minute caused Joe Hart some problems. The England goalkeeper could only parry Candreva's effort but there was no Italian nearby to take advantage of the rebound.

England came close again in the 24th minute. Glen Johnson found Danny Wellbeck down the right hand side. Wellbeck got round Paletta and looked to play in Daniel Sturridge but Andrea Barzagli made an excellent intervention to prevent an almost certain goal.

Italy took the lead somewhat against the run of play in the 35th minute. They worked a short corner on the right hand side. The ball found its' way to Andrea Pirlo who dummied it. Claudio Marchisio picked up possession and his right foot shot from about 25 yards out went into the corner of the net.

However England deservedly got back on level terms just a couple of minutes later. Raheem Sterling played a wonderful ball down the left hand side to release Wayne Rooney. Rooney's brilliant cross picked out Daniel Sturridge who finished expertly on the half volley from 6 yards out.

Italy nearly went back in front just before half time. Andrea Pirlo picked out Mario Balotelli. Hart came out to narrow the angle. However the AC Milan striker managed to chip the ball over his former Manchester City teammate. It was going in but Phil Jagielka got back to head it off the line.

Sirgiu was busy again early in the second half. He dived low to his left to deny Sturridge who struck from outside the area. That save looked even more important shortly afterwards. The impressive Candreva cut inside Leighton Baines  and crossed left footed from the right hand side. He picked out Mario Balotelli at the back post and Balotelli got away from Gary Cahill to head the Italians back in front.

Italy defended for the majority of the match thereafter and Wayne Rooney missed a terrific chance to equalize in the 62nd minute. Leighton Baines played a pass in behind the Italian defence and picked out Rooney. The England striker controlled it and shot from about 8 yards out but put it wide.

Midway through the second half Chillieni foulded Sturridge about 25 yards from goal.  Baines took the resultant free kick. It beat the wall but Sirigu dived low to his left to push it away for a corner.

England had another chance from a dead ball 6 minutes before the end of normal time after Daniele De Rossi fouled Adam Lallana close to the edge of the area. Steven Gerrard took the set piece but it was too high.

Italy captain Pirlo nearly wrapped it up in injury time. He struck a beautiful free kick from well outside the area which beat the wall swerved and beat Hart but came back off the crossbar.

Italy went on to win the game and are now second in the group behind Costa Rica on goal difference. It was a brave performance from England who came close to getting a result but just fell short. Pirlo was excellent once again for Italy.


England; Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard (c), Henderson (Wilshire 73), Wellbeck (Barkley 61), Sterling, Rooney; Sturridge (Lallana 79). 


Italy; Sirigu; Darmian,  Barzagli, Paletta, Chiellini;  De Rossi, Pirlo (c); Candreva (Poarolo 79)  Veratti (Thiago Motta 57), Marchisio; Balotelli (Immobile 73).

© Seamus Egan 2014