Mario Balotelli: Every team should fear Italy at the World Cup after beating England

Italy striker Mario Balotelli

Italy match winner Mario Balotelli believes every team should fear the four-time world champions after their 2-1 win over England last night.

Balotelli started up front on his own for Italy and scored the vital, winning goal just five minutes into the second half as Italy beat England for the second successive time at a major tournament.

Claudio Marchisio, of Juventus, opened the scoring after 35 minutes with a well-hit low shot, but Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge quickly equalised before the Italians could compose themselves.

Balotelli, who has been linked to Arsenal, then struck to swing the pendulum once again, and he believes their win makes them a real threat to the rest of the teams in the tournament. It is the Italian striker’s first World Cup after starring in the European Championships of two years ago, and he is determined to carry on his performance through the rest of the tournament.

Italy are now in a strong position heading into their match against Costa Rica, who beat Uruguay 3-1 to top Group D, and could almost guarantee qualification for the knockout stages with a win.

Balotelli said: “It’s a unique experience, I’ve never played a World Cup, now it’s fantastic.

“My goal is dedicated to my future wife and my friends who are at home.

“This game was very difficult for the climate and because England is strong: Italy suffers more, this is typical of our national team, but the important thing is to win and we did.

“We do not fear anyone. The others who must fear even Italy.

“But we must only think about Costa Rica, but we have to be quiet because otherwise we’re not going anywhere.”

Balotelli has now scored 13 goals in 31 caps for Italy.