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Italy clinches World Cup win against England

AFP/The Local
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Italy clinches World Cup win against England
Italy's midfielder Claudio Marchisio celebrates after scoring during the match between England and Italy. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP

Italy on Saturday battled rainforest temperatures to beat England 2-1 in their first game of the World Cup in Brazil.

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Italy's Claudio Marchisio put Italy 1-0 up in the first half, in the 35th minute, only for Daniel Andre Sturridge to score for England two minutes later.

Mario Balotelli secured victory for his side just five minutes into the second half of the game, held in the rainforest city of Manaus.

The Group D match was the first competitive encounter between the teams since Italy beat England on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 2012 European Championship.

In August last year, England edged Italy 2-1 in a friendly.

Teams

England

Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines; Steven Gerrard (capt), Jordan Henderson; Raheem Sterling, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck; Daniel Sturridge

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Italy

Salvatore Sirigu; Matteo Darmian, Andrea Barzagli, Gabriel Paletta, Giorgio Chiellini; Daniele De Rossi; Antonio Candreva, Andrea Pirlo (capt), Marco Verratti, Claudio Marchisio; Mario Balotelli

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

SEE ALSO: Ten of Italy's golden World Cup moments

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