Italy edge England 2-1 in pulsating Rumble in the Jungle

Andy Goldberg, dpa

The result leaves Italy in second spot in Group D behind Costa Rica on goal difference, with England third ahead of Uruguay.

"The team played well but suffered. We wanted to have the edge at midfield and we managed to do it," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said.

His England counterpart Roy Hodgson said his team had performed well and he was disappointed to come away with nothing. 

"On another occasion the shots or crosses may have worked for us. If the players can reproduce that performance twice again there's a good chance they can get the results."

In an unusually open game for an England-Italy match-up, both the Three Lions and the Azzurri had numerous chances to go ahead before Marchisio rifled in the opening goal in the 35th minute. 

Wayne Rooney of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 group D preliminary round match between England and Italy. Photo by EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN

From a well-worked corner on the right Andrea Pirlo stepped over a pass, giving the midfielder time to send a low shot from about 23 metres through a crowd of players to Joe Hart's right. 

England countered swiftly, with Raheem Sterling breaking up an Italy attack two minutes later and passing to Wayne Rooney, whose pinpoint cross allowed Daniel Sturrides to half-volley home from close range.

Italy could well have regained the lead before half time after Pirlo played Balotelli through. The AC Milan striker managed to chip Hart only for Phil Jagielka to head off the line. In the ensuing corner, Antonio Candreva hit the post from a sharp angle. 

But Balotelli restored the Italian lead in the 50th minute, beating Gary Cahill at the far post to a dipping cross from Candreva. 

The so-called Rumble in the Jungle had been touted as one of the most intriguing of the first round matches, pitching two of football's classic teams against each other in the exotic jungle city.

Fears that a newly laid pitch and the fierce tropical weather would stifle play failed to materialise, with temperatures at the evening game around 27 degrees, and the pitch showing little signs of wear.

England's main threat came from Raheem Sterling, 18, the youngest player to play for England at a World Cup after Michael Owen. As early as the second minute he fired a shot into the side netting of Italian keeper Salvatore Sirigu, who was playing instead of the Azzurri's iconic captain, Gianluigi Buffon, who injured his ankle in training Friday.

But Italy continually found space down England's left, where Rooney was playing in midfield, and Balotelli and Marchisio both had good chances before Italy notched the first goal. 

The result leaves England needing results against Uruguay and Costa Rica, but captain Steven Gerrard said the team had improved a lot since going out of the European Championships in 2012 to the Azzurri.

"We got criticised two years back for being toothless and sitting back, so we went at them tonight and are disappointed to have come away with nothing," he said. "The effort, the desire and the commitment was there, but we were lacking in quality in the final third."

Prandelli praised England as one of the strongest teams in the tournament and said both sides had suffered in the hot and humid conditions.

He blasted FIFA officials for not sanctioning water breaks to better allow the players to recover. 

"It's truly absurd that they did not allow this," he said. "If we want entertainment then we have to give them the energy to play."

"It was an epic game - a match we would forever remember for all our lives. Physically speaking we were a little stronger than England and we played a great game and so did they." 

Balotelli was clearly happy about his World Cup debut, but was also not getting carried away after clinching the crucial victory.

"I am very happy. It was a unique experience. I've never played in a World Cup, now it's fantastic."

He also conceded that Italy had to work hard to defeat England 2-1.

"England are strong, but tonight we played well. We are used to suffering - this is typical for Italy but in the end we win."