World Cup: England 1-2 Italy – Impressive Three Lions Undone By Classy Azzurri (Photo & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

15th, June 2014

1 Comment

By Alan Duffy

England 1-2 Italy – World Cup Group D – 14th June 2014 

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England produced one of their most vibrant, attacking performances in years in the heat of Manaus on Saturday night, but ultimately it was the well-organised and clever Azzurri who took all three points.

With Pirlo once again on top form, Italy took the lead on 35 minutes, with the Juve playmaker’s exquisite dummy setting up club team-mate Claudio Marchisio who rifled home from long-range. However, the Three Lions were level soon after, when Wayne Rooney’s pin-point cross found Daniel Sturridge in the box.

Rooney struggled to make an impact for large periods of the game but the like of Raheem Sterling shone in a highly entertaining and energetic England display.

England had always looked a little shaky at the back and eventually Italy’s winner came, with the superb Antonio Candreva crossing for Mario Balotelli, who eluded Gary Cahill and headed home. Pirlo then saw a magnificent free-kick crash off Joe Hart’s crossbar before the game ended with the more experienced Italians now in pole position in Group D.

Photos…

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Highlights…

Photos: PA

Highlights: Footytube

Posted in International football, Newsnow, Videos, World Cup

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1 Comment

  1. Ross says:

    I didn’t think we did too badly against a well organised side. Baines got little or no cover at all which saw him non existent as opposed to his forward runs at club level.
    That Rooney chance was superb play, just let down with the execution. He fooled two defenders and the keeper with the faint to the far post but just dragged it wide, if it had of went in he would be ‘worshipped’!
    Positives with Sterling, Lalana and Barkley too…all three never miss an opportunity to take it past a player. Not too convinced with Wiltshire, although Hendersons legs where gone.
    Other results makes it interesting, dare I say 4 points may see the second team through.

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