Mexico line-up: Corona, Rodriguez, Salcido, Moreno, Flores, Torrado, Aquino (Mier, 53'), Jesus Zavala (Jimenez, 85'), Guardado, Giovani, Hernandez
Italy line-up: Buffon, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Barzagli, Abate, Marchisio (Cerci, 68'), De Rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Giaccherini (Aquilani, 88'), Balotelli (Gilardino, 85')
The only nation not to win a tournament in this year's Confederation's Cup begin their campaign with a close fought victory over their South American counterparts. A piece of magic from Andrea Pirlo on his 100th cap was cancelled out by a Javier Hernandez penalty before Mario Balotelli used his strength to poke the ball home and Italy the win.
The match wasn't gifted to an early goal unlike yesterday, but this contest seemed a lot more open between two decent attacking sides. Italy had the first chances with Balotelli causing Jose Corona to make a couple of parries, the second of which saw the keeper having to get up to slide the ball away at the second attempt.
Mexico responded and although Gianluigi Buffon was worked a lot less than his opposite number, Andres Guardado came closest to scoring early on. His dipping effort from outside the box seemed to beat Gianluigi but the ball could only hit the top of the crossbar and go out.
The Maracana was then brought to life on 27-minutes when Italy were awarded a free-kick when Balotelli was brought down. The striker the looked to stand over the resulting free-kick until Pirlo told him otherwise. It turned out to be the right decision as the veteran play-maker curled his effort towards the top corner, giving Corona no chance.
But Italy's lead would only last nine minutes as Giovani Dos Santos' persistence got the better of Andrea Barzagli who was dawdling on the ball. Dos Santos broke in to the box, only to be brought down by Barzagli and a penalty was the only option. The defender was extremely lucky to still be on the pitch as he was the last man, but the referee only brandished a yellow card. Manchester United's Hernandez stepped up and brilliantly sent Buffon the wrong way to make it 1-1.
Italy came close again before half-time when Balotelli was denied yet again by Corona, who was seemingly producing an inconsistent performance. The second half wasn't as free flowing as the first as a few niggly challenges were beginning to be made.
Pirlo was once again at the heart of things with another free-kick eight minutes in to the half. This time he decided to smash the ball underneath the wall and it resulted in a bit of a scramble in the box. The loose ball fell to Riccardo Montolivo but his snap shot was rather at Corona who did still pull off a decent enough save. Pirlo would get a third free-kick a few moments later, this one just curled wide of the post.
As the niggles increased, there was an incarnation of the Manchester City Balotelli when the striker went down under a perceived last man challenge on the edge of the box. Enraged that nothing was given, Balotelli took to protesting with his boot before throwing to the floor. Fortunately though, Balotelli was able to calm himself down and continue playing without a hint of frustration.
Mexico's best chance came when a Giovani cross was headed wide by Gerardo Flores, who was unmarked and maybe should have done better. The winner came 12-minutes from the end when Emanuele Giaccherini's flick on gave something for Balotelli to work with. The striker managed to use his strength to break free from the defence and stab the ball home on the slide before wheeling away and taking his shirt off, for which he was booked.
Mexico couldn't force another equaliser and Italy, judging by the two opening matches, look like they will join Brazil in the semi-finals providing neither team slip up.
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