Mario Balotelli's second-half header earned Italy a victory over an enterprising England side in an engaging World Cup Group D opener in Manaus amid muggy conditions.
Gallery: England v Italy
The ball sails over Italy's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu after a free kick for England during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Amazonia arena in Manaus. Photo: Andres Stapff
The ball sails over Italy's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu after a free kick for England during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Amazonia arena in Manaus. Photo: Andres Stapff
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Joe Hart of England lies on the pitch after Claudio Marchisio of Italy (not pictured) kicked the ball and scored the first goal into the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
England's team poses for a picture before their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against Italy at the Amazonia arena in Manaus. Photo: Darren Staples
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Mario Balotelli of Italy scores his team's second goal on a header past Gary Cahill and goalkeeper Joe Hart of England during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Italy celebrate after defeating England 2-1 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Francois Xavier Marit - Pool/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Gary Cahill of England holds off a challenge by Ciro Immobile of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Daniel Sturridge of England and Giorgio Chiellini of Italy battle for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Andrea Barzagli of Italy and Daniel Sturridge of England chase the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Italy's Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring a goal past England's goalkeeper Joe Hart during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Amazonia arena in Manaus. Photo: Ivan Alvarado
Wayne Rooney may have been staunchly defended by England coach Roy Hodgson after the opening defeat by Italy in the World Cup, but his performance attracted criticism from former top players and coaches. Photo: Darren Staples
Italy's Mario Balotelli (L) celebrates his goal against England with teammate Marco Verratti during the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil. Photo: Ivan Alvarado
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Mario Balotelli of Italy controls the ball as Joe Hart of England (center) and Gary Cahill look on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Tens of thousands gather in downtown Rome to watch on a giant screen the group D World Cup soccer match between England and Italy playing at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil. Photo:AP Photo/Daniele Leone
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Referee Bjorn Kuipers shows a yellow card to Raheem Sterling of England during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Marco Verratti of Italy greets substitute Thiago Motta during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Italy players pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Mario Balotelli of Italy fights off Gary Cahill of England during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Steven Gerrard of England enters the field followed by Joe Hart before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Fans arrive before the Group D match between England and Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Bruno Zanardo/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Italy fans dressed up as indians cheer during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Leighton Baines of England and Matteo Darmian of Italy battle for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Published Jun 15, 2014
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