Football: Italy’s Super Mario sinks England

MANAUS: Mario Balotelli scored the winner as Italy beat England 2-1 in their World Cup duel in the Amazon on Saturday as Costa Rica provided a major shock with an upset win over Uruguay.

AC Milan striker Balotelli nodded past former Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart on 50 minutes to decide the tense Group D encounter at Manaus´s sweltering Amazonia Arena.

Italy´s Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio had fired the Azzurri into a deserved lead on 35 minutes, rifling home a low shot from outside the area after a well-worked corner routine wrong-footed the English defence.

England struck back with a fine goal on the counter-attack. Raheem Sterling released Wayne Rooney down the left and the Manchester United star´s cross was buried by Daniel Sturridge.

The Italian victory leaves Cesare Prandelli´s side in pole qualifying position from Group D. The only blot on a satisfying day for Italy was the absence of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was ruled out of the England match hours before kick-off with a twisted ankle.

England now face Uruguay in Sao Paulo next Thursday with the loser of that contest facing almost certain elimination.

"It´s disappointing, we put so much effort into it," said England captain Steven Gerrard after.

"Italy were a very good team tonight and we fell a bit short. But we´re still very much alive in this group," he added.

- Disastrous start –

South American champions Uruguay´s campaign got off to a disastrous start earlier when they were beaten 3-1 by Costa Rica at the Castelao Stadium in Forteleza. That came just 24 hours after the Netherlands humiliated reigning champions Spain 5-1 in Salvador.

Uruguay, despite being without star striker Luis Suarez, looked to be on the way to all three points in the Group D opener after Edinson Cavani´s first half spot-kick put them ahead.

But Costa Rica brilliantly recovered with three second half goals to take the game and go top of Group D on goal difference.

Two goals in three minutes from Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte put the Central Americans ahead before substitute Marcos Urena added a late third.

Uruguay´s Maxi Pereira was sent off in injury time.

Costa Rica now play four-time world champions Italy in Recife next Friday.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez bemoaned the absence of injured star Suarez, and said he could be fit for the crunch showdown with England.

"There are four days before the game with England, we´ll see whether or not he can play but the most important thing is the person," Tabarez said.

- Colombia romp -

Earlier, stylish Colombia shrugged off the absence through injury of star striker Radamel Falcao to hammer Greece 3-0 in Group C.

With Falcao watching from the stands, his Monaco team-mate James Rodriguez emerged as the star of the match, scoring one and setting up another for Teofile Gutierrez. Pablo Armero was Colombia´s other scorer.

"We are capable of scoring goals and creating chances, which is a great thing to have," said Colombia´s Argentinian coach Jose Pekerman.

"The important thing is that everyone did their bit for the team and that transmits confidence. We took our chances and knew how to play as a team."

Japan and Ivory Coast contest the final game of the day in the coastal city of Recife at 10:00pm (0100 GMT).

As the tournament got into full swing, the shockwaves from Spain´s record defeat against the Netherlands reverberated afar.

Spain´s heaviest loss for 51 years was also the worst ever suffered by the defending champions at a World Cup.

Spain are now fighting just to remain in the tournament as they prepare for a difficult test against Group B opponents Chile on Wednesday.

Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas took the blame for what he called his worst night. But Spain coach Vicente del Bosque leapt to the defence of his under-fire skipper on Saturday.

"If a team loses it´s not down to the performance of a single player," said Del Bosque when asked if he would drop Casillas against Chile.

"Defeats happen as a result of weaknesses in the entire squad, but least of all because of the performance of Iker Casillas," added Del Bosque. (AFP)