FIFA World Cup: Balotelli helps Italy edge past England  

MANAUS: Italy edged past England 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup encounter at Arena Amazônia in Manaus, ARY News reports.

Italy started off with their goalkeeper captain Gianluigi Buffon due as he was suffering from a twisted ankle.

The match started off aggressively as both times started attacking their goals from the start.

England had the chance to score in the first five minutes of the match as striker Raheem Sterling’s shot from outside the box just missed the target by inches.

Andrea Pirlo had the chance to take the lead for the 2006 champions but he passed the ball rather than taking the shot on goal.

The 1966 champions came close to netting the ball as a deflected cross by one of the Italian defenders nearly went into the six yard box in the 23rd minute.

Claudio Marchisio put the Italian side in the front in the 34th minute after a right footed shot from outside the penalty box found the bottom left corner of the six yard box.

However, the English side equalized two minutes later after Daniel Sturridge scored after a cross provided by Wayne Rooney.

The defence department of both teams were having a busy night saving the shots from opponent.

The Italians again went in the lead five minutes via header by Mario Balotelli after the half time.

England’s Sturridge was trying everything he could to pull a score back for his side but his shots were being denied whereas Balotelli was trying to extend the lead for the Italians.

The British side had a few chances to score in the last minutes of the match but could not capitalize on their opportunities and the match ended 2-1.