winning start by defeating Mexico2-1 at the Maracana on Sunday.
TheAzzurridominated large spells of the first half and the game
appeared tobe going according to plan when Andrea Pirlo, on his 100th
cap, curled in a breathtaking free-kick to break thedeadlock after 27
minutes.
But a horrendous mistake by Andrea Barzagli saw him concede a penalty
seven minutes later, from which Javier Hernandez converted coolly to
level thescores before the break.
Mario Balotelli would spare Italy's blushes 12 minutes from time
though, powering through towards goal and finishing to secure all
three points and keep his side on pace with Group A leaders Brazil,
who beat Japan on Saturday.
Ten out of the 11 members of Italy's starting lineup were on the books
of either Juventus or AC Milan, with Daniele De Rossi of Roma the lone
exception.
For Mexico, Giovani dos Santos and Javier Aquino returned to the XI
after sitting out the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, while Gerardo Torrado
began in midfield for his 141st cap.
Italy controlled the initial exchanges, as Balotelli and Emanuele
Giaccherini narrowly missed, before the former's low drive forced a
save out of Jose de Jesus Corona, who lapped up the rebound at the
feet of the latter.
It seemed like only a matter of time before they took the lead, but
Mexico fired a warning shot back in their direction when Dos Santos
slipped in Andres Guardado at the top of the box,who rattled the bar
with a ferocious effort.
With a quarter of an hour gone, Pirlo was then chopped to the turf
inside thearea after pressure from a pair of Mexico defenders, but the
referee ignored the frantic Italy appeals for a penalty.
ButPirlowould soon get his revenge, and after Italy were awarded a
free kick 25 yards from goal, the newly-minted centurion stepped up to
bend magnificently into the top corner.
Italy's joy was short-lived, however, as hesitation from Barzagli
allowed Dos Santos the chance to nip the ball off his toes and he was
promptly fouled inside the area by the defender in an attempt to cover
his mistake.
AndHernandezmade no mistake from 12 yards out, sending Gianluigi
Buffon the wrong way with a low strike to the right corner.
Moments after the restart, Pirlo nearly caused more damage with
another set piece from just outside the box, which was deflected into
the path of Riccardo Montolivo, who could not beat Corona from a few
yards out.
But despite the Milan midfielder's irrepressible threat from any free
kick within 40 yards of goal, the second halfdid not quite progress in
the swashbuckling manner as the first.
With an hour gone, Italy were denied another penalty after Balotelli
appearedto be pulled back inside the area by Hector Moreno, only for
the referee to wave play on, much to the striker's fury.
Mexico appeared to have abandoned all interest in attacking, and
seemed content to sit deep and soak up the Italian pressure, which
mostly manifested itself in little more than catching practice for
Corona.
But on a rare foray forward, Dos Santoswon a free kick near the corner
flag, from which Guardado delivered into Gerardo Flores, who narrowly
missed the target with his head.
The match seemed to be petering out to an inevitable draw, but in the
78th minute, with one show of strength,Balotelliturned past Francisco
'Maza' Rodriguez and drilled past Corona with aplomb.
Mexico rallied late on in the oppositionhalf, but fell flat as Buffon
was not called into action, and Cesare Prandelli's men closed out the
game to seal an important victory.
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