BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Italy striker Mario Balotelli landed Italy a 2-1 win over England with a header in the second half.
Claudio Marchisio opened the scoring for Italy, sending a long shot through a crowded area and past a diving England keeper Joe Hart in the 35th minute. But just two minutes later, Daniel Sturridge levelled for England, tapping in a cross from Wayne Rooney.
It was all equal chances at half time. But within minutes of the second half opening, Balotelli found himself left unmarked by Gary Cahill, and nodded a cross from Antonio Candreva past Hart in the 50th minute.
The win puts Italy in a strong position to qualify for the second round, and leaves England with plenty to do in its remaining two matches. In the other Group D match, Costa Rica handed a defeat to Uruguay 3-1, leaving the 2010 semifinalists with a similarly difficult task to advance.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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