Balotelli's cool head takes Italy home

Balotelli heads home the winner as 2006 champs Italy open their 2014 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over England.

Mario Balotelli scored with a second-half header to give Italy a 2-1 win over England at the World Cup.

The Italy striker was left free by his marker Gary Cahill and nodded a cross from Antonio Candreva past goalkeeper Joe Hart in the 50th minute. Claudio Marchisio scored first for Italy, sending a long shot through a crowded area and past a diving Hart in the 35th. Daniel Sturridge equalised for England two minutes later, tapping in a cross from Wayne Rooney.

Group D table

The win puts Italy in a strong position to qualify for the second round and leaves England with plenty to do in its remaining two matches.

Balotelli nearly scored another in first-half injury time, running deep into the area and enticing Hart to come off his line. The Italy striker stopped, looked toward goal and sent a chip over the keeper's head - only for Phil Jagielka to clear by heading the ball over the bar.

England's attack-minded lineup made frequent runs into the Italy area throughout the match, and came close to scoring several times. The best of the chances came in the 24th when Danny Welbeck sent the ball across the front of goal but Andrea Barzagli was able to slide in and tip the ball up in the air.

Raheem Sterling, who had been running in from the left, jumped for the header but couldn't reach it, letting the ball go past him as he tumbled into the net.

Italy played without the injured Gianluigi Buffon. The 36-year-old Italy goalkeeper, who can play in his fourth World Cup if he is able to recover from an ankle problem, was replaced by Salvatore Sirigu.