The Brazilian world championship is gradually gaining momentum. In Group D, one of the most anticipated meetings of the preliminary stage took place on June 14 - England played against Italy. In the Brazilian city of Manus at the Amazonia stadium, spectators could watch the battle of the football titans.
The first half began slowly. Perhaps this was due to the unbearable heat that reigned in Manus. The Italians controlled the ball a little more, and the British checked the Italian goalkeeper Sirigu with long shots.
Andrea Pirlo was the soloist in the center of the pitch. It was enough for this man not even to touch the ball in order to build the first goal. On the 35th minute after the corner, maestro Pirlo missed the ball so cleverly that the British did not immediately realize how the round ended up in goal after Marchisio's most accurate shot from outside the penalty area. 1 - 0 Italy took the lead.
For a short time, fans of the four-time World Cup winners celebrated their success. Already on the 37th minute, the ancestors of football carried out an ingenious quick attack. Just a few passes, and Sturridge shoots Sirigu - the score becomes 1 - 1. The game gradually began to gain momentum. The skill of the players of both teams demonstrated the general level of the giants of world football.
At the end of the half, the Italians missed a good chance to hit the gate of the British. “Supermario” slyly tossed Hart, but the defender cleared the ball off the net. After playing the corner, Kandreva struck the goal post of the British. This attack ended the first half.
The second half of the meeting began with the attacks of the British. However, on the 50th minute, the offensive impulses of the founders of football were cooled by Mario Balotelli. Kandreva dealt with the English defender and gave an amazing serve to the far post, where Balotelli sent the ball into the goal with his head. 2 - 1 were taken by the Italians.
The second half of the half was spent in the attacks of the England national team. The players of Squadra Azura did not even think about the attack. The Italians endured, and they did it in a way that, perhaps, no one else in the world can do. Several times Sirigu rescued Italy after dangerous strikes, but it was not necessary to talk about super-goal moments at the gates of the four-time champions of the world championships.
In the condensed time, Andrea Pirlo almost increased the score, but his gorgeous free-kick hit the crossbar.
The referee's whistle recorded the most difficult victory of the Italian national team 2 - 1 over a formidable opponent. Now the British will have to beat Uruguay in the second round, which in itself also seems to be the most difficult task. The squadra azura is compared on points with Costa Rica and rises to the top of the death group of the World Cup.
