MATCH REPORT: ITALY DOWN ENGLAND 2-1

The Arena Amazonia in Manaus was the center of attraction in the battle between two European giants. England takes on Italy. The Italians were very hopeful to repeat what they did in 2012 when they knocked out the English at the Quarter finals stage at the Euro 2012. Revenge was all England needed.

Italy showed early sortie. A dangerous ball from the right was cleared out by Gary Cahill in the 2^nd minute. Raheem sterling tremendous effort early in the game almost seemed as a goal but hit the side net. Jordan Henderson brought the best out of Salvatore Sirigu who was in post for Italy when he forced the 27 year old goalkeeper to pull out a save with a thunderous strike in the 5^th minute.

A midfield battle in the first 10 minutes as both teams pulled their strings together. But the Italians looked composed in defence. Danny Welbeck had every effort to put England in the lead as he decided to go for glory with a right footed shot from 20 yards which went off target. Daniel Sturridge’s surging run on the right in the 15^th minute saw his cross being block by Italy defender Gebriel Paletta.  A balance game in the first 15 minutes. In the 16^th minutes England right back Glen Johnson cuts in beautifully and tried a left footed shot which went off target.

 Antonio Candreva tried to take Joe Hart by surprise when he took a long range shot but the England goalkeeper was quick to react. A big shout for a penalty in the 21^st minutes when Danny Welbeck was impeded in the penalty box following a low cross from the left hand side by Raheem Sterling. Mario Balloteli’s right footed effort went over the ball. Danny Welbeck received a nice through ball from Glen Johnson to send in a cross to Daniel Sturidge only for Barzagli to intervene as he tipped the ball to corner. England were beginning to give their fans great hopes of upsetting the four time World champion. An ambitious strike from Candreva was never going to trouble Joe Hart as it went to touch. 

After 30 minutes of play the game still remain barren. In the 32^nd minute Italy were very close in getting their first goal after Matteo Darmian’s looping touch had Ballotelli failing to connect. An excellent demy from Andre Pirlo enable Claudio Marchisio to get all the time in the World to strike the ball from 25 yards into the bottom right corner of the post. England quickly responded just under 2 minutes when Daniel Sturridge equalized with an excellent touch from close range to pull priority following a perfect cross from Wayne Ronney as the 25 year old thanks the heavens in celebration pulling out his robotic moves. Two goals in the space of 3 minutes. In the 44^th minutes Matteo Darmian cut in from the right to shoot the ball way over the bar.  Italy nearly fetched a goal on the stroke of half time, as Mario Balloteli beat Joe Hart who was out of his line to chip the ball over the goalkeeper only for Phil Jagielka to clear the ball from the line with his heard. Candreva’s audacious efforts hit the wood-work in additional time. A nervous moment for the English. Their penalty area has been boiling at the dying embers of the first half.

 

England began the second half well as they pushed men forward. Sturridge pulled a left footed shot in to force Sirigu come out with yet another important save to keep his side in the game. Italy restored their lead through the “Bad boy” Mario Balloteli’s after he jumped to knock the ball into the net with his head following a cross from Candreva from the right hand side of attack in the 50^th minutes. Ronney’s right footed strike in the 54^th minute went in the face of goal. A cross from Glen Johnson was timely checked by the Italian defense. England looked desirous in finding the equalizer.

In the 56^th minutes Marco Varrati paved way for Thiago Motta. Italy calmly tried to build up field.  Sturridge’s teasing ball almost caught Sirigu on his line. Ronney could have fetched the equalizer in the 61^st minutes when his intended effort missed the post by inches as England coach Roy Hodson buries his head in total disbelieve. Ross Barkley came on for Danny Welbeck in the 68^th minutes.The English were far away of given up as they fought for the equalizer. The three Lions pushed forward. Glen Johnson’s long rage strike went wide. Both managers made quick substitutions in the 71^st minutes with Ciro Immobile coming on for Mario Balloteli while Jack Wilshere also came on for Jordan Henderson. England maintained their possession.

Leighton Baines had his free kick saved by Sirigu who had been kept busy in post for the Italians.  Another double change by both managers as Marco Parolo came on for Antonio Candreva for Italy while Daniel Sturridge was also surcrificed for Adam Lallana.

 

England still pushed forward for the equalizer. Raheem Sterling got booked in the 92^nd minutes when he pulled down Parolo. Things were getting very thight for England as they needed something spectacular to get the needed equalizer. Andre Pirlo’s long range free kick hit the upright in the 93^rd minutes.

After 90 minutes plus additional time, three Lions have been once again beaten by the Azzuri’s. Cesere Prandelli has triumph over Roy Hodson by 2-1.

England Starting XI: Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines, Glen Johnson, Wayne Rooney, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling.

Italy Starting XI: Salvatore Sirigu, Andrea Barzagli, Gabriel Paletta, Daniel de Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini, Matteo Darmian, Marco Verratti, Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Candreva, Claudio Marchisio, Mario Balotelli

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi