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Italy were truly class in their 2-1 win against an aggressive England as Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli struck in either half for the Azzurri in a crucial and gripping Group D contest, here today.
Italy lost skipper and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon hours before the start of the clash due to injury but did not allow the setback to affect their performance. Salvatore Sirigu was excellent under the bar in the absence of legendary Buffon, making spectacular saves.
In a fascinating first half, Italy surged ahead on a set-piece goal in the 35th minute by Marchisio and England retaliated two minutes later through Daniel Sturridge, brilliantly fed by Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling.
England attacked relentlessly but it was young Balotelli, the hero of Italy's Qualifying campaign, who found the winner for the Azzurri early in the second half. He headed home a sumptuous pass from Antonio Candreva, five minutes into the second half and that proved decisive in the outcome.
England's failure to get the equaliser meant that they have made a losing start to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and remained winless against Italy in a competieve match since 1977.
The clash was a repeat of a 2012 European Championship quarterfinal between the two teams and the Italians prevailed yet again.
Rooney, who has been struggling playing from the left, had a brilliant chance to equalise after getting a pass from Leighton Baines but he hit wide in the 62nd minute.
Italy kept England at bay for the remainder of the session to walk through with three points. Nevertheless, Sturridge and Sterling were outstanding for England.
An upset 3-1 win for Costa Rica over Uruguay early in the day in Fortaleza means that England now have an enormous challenge to advance to the second round from Group D.
Uruguay badly missed star striker Luis Suarez as Costa Rica rallied from a goal down to stun Copa America champions. Two goal in three minutes from Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte rocked the Uruguay defence.
