Italy

Brilliance from Balotelli

Italy called Antonio Di Natale into the starting line up at the expense of Mario Balotelli in one of four changes made by Cesare Prandelli ahead of this crunch Group C game.

The first half was a relatively even affair with Ireland making a positive contribution to the opening exchanges. After three minutes, a Damien Duff free kick was swung in but while the Italians initially failed to clear the first ball, a blue shirt scrambled clear before anyone could find the net.

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