SUPER MARIO: Balotelli puts Italy back in front against England [GETTY]

Goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli either side of Daniel Sturridge's neat effort sealed three points for the Azzurri, leaving Roy Hodgson's men going into Thursday's tie with Uruguay needing a win to keep alive their hopes of qualification to the second round.

The two sides had only met once before at the World Cup, in Italy in 1990, where the Italians won by the same 2-1 scoreline in the third and fourth place play-off in Bari.

Roy Hodgson sprang a surprise with his team selection by naming 19-year-old Raheem Sterling in his starting line-up, the Liverpool star started in a central No.10 position just off Daniel Sturridge with Wayne Rooney banished to the wing for the first half.

That decision meant disappointment for Southampton's Adam Lallana, who had been expected to start after impressing for the Three Lions in his six appearances for Roy Hodgson's side.

Sterling in fact was England's only outfield player not to start a warm up match and only played 33 minutes in the build up to Brazil.

The Liverpool youngster was sent off for a reckless challenge on Antonio Valencia against Ecuador and was suspended for the Honduras match but Hodgson decided his performances in training were enough to put him in from the start.

Cesare Prandelli's side were dealt a huge blow before kick off with the absence of Gianluigi Buffon, the captain and veteran of 140 caps, missing out through injury meaning Paris Saint-Germain keeper Salvatore Sirigu came in.

THE CHOSEN XI: England's starting Xi for the opening World Cup game with Italy [GETTY]

And England started brightly.

Sterling struck an incredible effort from 25 yards, the ball whistling into the side netting after just four minutes, many thought it was in, including the BBC who listed the score as 1-0, but it went the wrong side of the post.

Jordan Henderson was next, just moments later, with a fizzing effort, low, beaten away by Sirigu.

The Italians, up the other end, had an appeal for a penalty as Andrea Pirlo dinked the ball into Glen Johnson's body, it struck his arm which was down by his side and the referee wasn't interested.

After 25 minutes the English midfield backed off, allowing Balotelli the space, mid-way through England's half, to get a shot away after turning but the former City man fired the ball over Joe Hart's goal.

Marchisio then broke the deadlock with a low rifling effort into the bottom left corner.

England failed to react from a short, well-worked corner, and Andrea Pirlo's dummy opened up the space for Marchisio who fired beyond a helpless Hart after 35 minutes.

The lead though only lasted 90 seconds as Rooney drove down the left and delivered in for Sturridge.

The Liverpool forward finished beyond Sirigu first time on the half-volley.

In the scrambled celebrations England's physio, Gary Lewin, suffered an injury and had to be stretchered away with a suspected broken ankle.

STUUUU-RIIKKE: Sturridge equalised for England after being behind for just 90 seconds [GETTY]

Just five minutes into the second half Italy were back in front as both of England's full-backs showed their limitations in one quick move.

Leighton Baines allowed the cross to come in from Antonio Candreva while Glen Johnson was sucked inside leaving Balotelli free to nod beyond Hart.

England though responded and threatened to break through the Italian back-line.

Hodgson's men had two shouts for penalties as first Welbeck, then Gerrard went down under challenges, both could have been given but neither were.

Rooney then missed a great chance after a neat through-ball from Baines.

The Manchester United forward dragged his shot wide from inside the penalty area from a position he should have done better from.

Substitute Ross Barkley added another element of urgency and drove forward just three minutes after coming on and struck a strong shot down low but Sirigu managed to turn it away to safety.

Baines tried his luck with a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, dipping the ball up and over the wall, but the PSG man in Italy's goal, on just his ninth appearance for the Azzurri, turned the ball away.

Another substitute, Adam Lallana, won a free kick as he floated towards the Italy penalty area, but skipper Steven Gerrard put the ball over the bar.

In injury time, though, England had their cross-bar to thank as Pirlo dipped a free-kick onto the woodwork with Hart stranded.

England's next match is against Uruguay, who suffered a shock defeat to Costa Rica, on Thursday in Sao Paulo, while Italy play Costa Rica on Friday in Recife.


England: Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson (Wilshere 72), Welbeck (Barkley 61), Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge (Lallana 79).

Subs: Lampard, Smalling, Foster, Jones, Milner, Lambert, Forster, Shaw.

Italy: Sirigu; Darmian, Paletta, Barzagli, Chiellini, Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi, Verratti (Thiago Motta 56), Candreva (Parolo 78), Balotelli (Immobile 72).

Subs: Perin, Abate, Bonucci, Aquilani, Insigne, Cassano, Cerci.