World Cup: England 1 Italy 2 - Hodgson’s Lions denied by Italy

Italy's Mario Balotelli (9) celebrates after getting the ball past England's goalkeeper Joe Hart, left, and Gary Cahill, center, to score his side's second goal.

England put on a thrilling display of attacking football, but they emerged from their trek into the jungle with a 2-1 defeat in their World Cup opener thanks to Mario Balotelli’s winner in the draining heat of Manaus.

Balotelli scored the decisive goal for the Azzurri five minutes into the second half after Daniel Sturridge had cancelled out a Claudio Marchisio effort.

At times England were simply breath-taking on the attack. Raheem Sterling, making just his third England start, wowed the crowds inside the Arena Amazonia with his quick thinking and even quicker feet.

Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson all went close in the first half as a bold, young and bright England went for Italy from the first whistle.

Roy Hodgson’s men also had two good penalty shouts turned down and their passing, until the last 10 minutes, was incredibly fluent.

But defensive shortcomings cost the team again. Marchisio was, inexplicably, left unmarked and he took full advantage by driving Italy ahead from outside the box.