Balotelli saves Italy the blushes

However, Cesare Prandelli switched from a two-man attack to a 4-3-3, giving Italy more width. It proved a decisive move, with two goals coming from Italy in the space of three minutes courtesy of Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Balotelli.

Mario Balotelli

Balotelli's strike, a looping drive from the edge of the area which landed in the top corner of Julio Cesar's goal, was particularly impressive.u00a0

But the AC Milan striker, who has scored seven goals in six games for the Rossoneri, was left rueing missed chances earlier in the match.

"I should have put some earlier chances away in the first half," said Balotelli, who gave himself a mark of "six out of ten".u00a0