England suffer a 2-1 defeat in Manuas, Brazil against Italy, as Balotelli scored the winner for the Azzurri.
In an open first half, it was Italy who opened the scoring after 33 minutes through Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio.
A well worked corner from Italy, including a stunning dummy from Andrea Pirlo, allowed Marchisio to pick up the ball in plenty of space on the edge of the box.
He then fired into the bottom corner, leaving Hart with no chance.
However, a young England side were quick to respond.
A superb pass from Raheem Sterling released Wayne Rooney down the left.
The Manchester United man played a superb ball across the box with his weaker foot to find Daniel Sturridge free four yards out, and the in-form Liverpool man finished with ease to equalise for England.
On 50 minutes, the winner arrived for Italy through former Man City striker, Mario Balotelli. Antonio Candreva beat Leighton Baines too easily and then delivered a superb cross to the back post, a cross that Gary Cahill couldn’t defend and was met by Balotelli.
The striker had a simple task of converting the ball into the empty net and Italy were deserved of their 2-1 win.
England now travel to Sao Paulo to play Uruguay in a must win match for both teams.
Super Mario sinks England
