Super Mario was activated today.
In the best match of the day, Italy faced off against England in Group D matches. The story of the game was how Italy would respond without Gianluigi Buffon.
They came out firing, because they were on the Italian squad was scoreboard first, thanks to a Claudio Marchisio shot to the bottom corner of the net after a sweet set-up by Marco Verratti. But it didn’t stop there. England came right back two minutes later with the equalizer, thanks to Daniel Sturridge shot from a Wayne Rooney.
The score was tied at 1 going into halftime, even though Mario Balotelli almost scored on a crazy curveball to end the period.
Both teams came back from the locker rooms attacking, with plenty of close calls that could have been converted to goals. England actually ended the match with more shots on goal and three times the amount of corner kicks, but they would not score again.
The last goal of the game at the mercy of Balotelli in the 50th minute, with a header inside the box. Antonio Candreva set him up with a beautiful cross.
Even without Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu still had four huge saves for Italy.
Up next for England, they take on Uruguay on Thursday and Italy will face Costa Rica on Friday in Group D action. Both Costa Rica and Italy have 3 points.
