Italy went into tonight's Confederations Cup clash with Mexico as slight favourites to claim three points, but Jose de la Torre's side travelled to Rio de Janeiro unbeaten in 13 matches.
Andrea Pirlo quickly capped his 100th Azzurri cap with a trademark free kick to open the scoring, with Mexico swiftly equalising courtesy of a penalty from Javier Hernandez.
Five minutes from time a tight clash was settled by Mario Balotelli, who smashed home the decisive strike from close range.
Look back at an entertaining match at the Maracana Stadium with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening international football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as Italy and Mexico get their Confederations Cup campaigns underway tonight with an intriguing clash at the Maracana.
Italy have brought their strongest possible squad to Brazil for the tournament, as Cesare Prandelli's side continue to build towards next summer's World Cup finals. Star players Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon are all available tonight, with the pressure on to deliver in a quality Group A also featuring Brazil.
Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre is under pressure to use the Confederations Cup as catalyst for improvement, with his side currently flattering to deceive in a tricky World Cup qualifying campaign. The Mexicans have drawn four of their last five matches without scoring, with Javier Hernandez often isolated in attack.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Italy had a pair of major fitness concerns this evening, with Balotelli struggling with a persistent thigh problem. Luckily for the Azzurri he has passed a late fitness test to start tonight, but AC Milan teammate Stephan El Shaarawy is not risked. A full look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few moments.
ITALY: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Sciglio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo, Marchisio, Giaccherini, Balotelli
MEXICO: Corona, Flores, Rodriguez, Moreno, Salcido, Torrado, Zavala, Aquino, Guardado, Dos Santos, Hernandez
Prandelli has chosen to opt for a slightly different 4-2-3-1 formation tonight, with Balotelli supported by Claudio Marchisio. Juventus youngster Emmanuele Giaccherini also keeps his place after scoring in just 19 seconds against Haiti on Tuesday. Pirlo earns his 100th Azzurri cap in midfield, alongside Daniele De Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo.
Mexico boss De La Torre has promoted in-form playmaker Giovanni Dos Santos to his starting XI tonight, with the Mallorca forward playing just behind Hernandez. Experienced midfielder Gerardo Torrado starts in central midfield, next to Villareal anchor Javier Aquino.
PREDICTION! With a quite stunning Maracana near capacity we are just a few minutes from kickoff, with both sides about to leave the tunnel. I expect Italy to edge a tight affair this evening, with Mexico offering plenty in a hard-fought clash. Balotelli's inclusion is a huge boost for the Azzurri and I fully expect the maverick striker to score tonight.
A pair of very passionate national anthems have been belted out at the Maracana, with a strong travelling Mexican support just about winning that particular battle. The pre-match formalities are over and we are ready for a Confederations Cup clash full of experienced, quality players to get underway.
Mexico get the match underway, shooting from right to left. Italy are in a changed all-white strip and quickly regain possession, with Pirlo finding Marchisio with a precise early pass to start his 100th international appearance in style.
Guardado is given time and space to shoot from 30 yards on his dangerous left foot, but a wild effort lacks accuracy and flies well past the post. Mexico put together a fine passing move to create that opening, with Dos Santos and Aquino both featuring out wide.
De Rossi's clever through ball finds Giaccherini in the final third, but the Juve midfielder is harshly judged offside. When play resumes Rodriguez gifts possession to Balotelli with a poor pass inside his own half. Balotelli spots Corona off his line and shoots from distance, but a quick chip sails over the crossbar, much to the goalkeeper's relief.
SAVE! A sweeping Italy break sees Montolivo find Balotelli with a precise pass inside the penalty area. The forward shoots first time from close range, but his low effort is well parried by a strong stop form Corono. Mexico are then just about able to scramble clear as Marchisio is beaten to the rebound. Prandelli has to be pleased with the start his side have made.
SHOT! Corona is quickly called into action once more, watching a swerving Balotelli effort from range fly dangerously towards goal. His instinctive parry averts danger but only momentarily, with the keeper quick to slide in and stop Giaccherini from tapping the rebound home from close range. Mexico are really struggling to leave their own half early on, with Hernandez increasingly isolated in attack.
OFF THE BAR! Finally some signs of life from Mexico, who launch a quick counter to go within inches of breaking the deadlock. Strong work from Dos Santos out wide saw the forward rob Abate of possession near the corner flag, before driving inside to find Guardado. The midfielder's powerful effort thunders over Buffon but back off the woodwork, with Italy quickly scrambling clear the rebound. The ball in use at this tournament looks to have a life of his own, making things difficult for both goalkeeper's this evening.
A fine forward exchange from Aquino and Dos Santos wins Mexico a free kick around 20 yards from goal, with Chiellini conceding the set piece after a hasty challenge from behind. Dos Santos gets up to take, but his central effort hits the wall. Italy are quick to retrieve possession and break in numbers, with Pirlo's penalty appeals turned away at the other end after a tussle with Moreno.
Marchisio concedes a free kick for a high foot in his challenge. Mexico use the set piece to launch a quick attack through Hernandez, but the forward spurns a chance to find Guardado unmarked at the far post. An end-to-end clash continues with De Sciglio raiding forward, but any Italy attack is quickly forgotten as Balotelli commits a foul for a push Torrado.
A lack of communication inside the penalty area sees Salcido concede a corner kick after slicing a clearance under no pressure. Mexico regroup to defend the corner with relative ease as Corona continues his impressive start by claiming the cross with authority.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Mexico (Pirlo)
What an unbelievable strike from Pirlo and the midfield maestro has a goal to mark his 100th Italy cap. Balotelli was bundled over by a combination of three Mexico players outside the penalty area, with Torrado's sliding challenge enough to see the referee award a free kick around 20 yards from goal. Pirlo stepped up and controlled a measured shot beyond Corona and into the top corner. A fitting moment for the 34-year-old, who stroked that effort home in his usual casual, controlled manner. 1-0 to the Azzurri!
Pirlo nearly goes from scorer to creator in a matter of minutes, with his lofted pass towards Giaccherrini just evading the midfielder's attempts to control inside the penalty area. Mexico are then quick to press forward at other end, but Dos Santos can only send a curling cross into the grateful grasp of Buffon.
PENALTY TO MEXICO! The referee has awarded a spot kick after Barzagli bundled over Dos Santos inside the penalty area. The defender was caught in possession and definitely pushed the forward over, but gets away with a yellow card despite being the last defender.
GOAL! Mexico 1-1 Italy (Hernandez)
With the pressure on Hernandez makes no mistake with a calm penalty, guiding a low effort into the bottom corner. Buffon went the wrong way and never looked like stopping the Manchester United forward on that occasion. A typically clinical strike from Hernandez has a thoroughly entertaining clash level before the break, with Italy perhaps a touch fortunate to have 11 players still on the pitch.
Quick feet from Balotelli sees the forward continue his duel with Corona, but once again the Mexico is down quickly to save a low effort towards goal. Italy waste no time in driving forward again just a moment later, with Abate's cross into the six-yard box cleared by a combination of Corona and Moreno. There are definitely more goals in this match, quite possibly at both ends too.
Giaccherini's clever forward pass comes within inches of finding Balotelli just outside the penalty area. The Juventus midfielder's intelligent, pacy runs into the final third have been a constant feature of this first half, with Mexico struggling to track his movement and stop De Sciglio exploiting the space left when he moves inside.
HALF-TIME Mexico 1-1 Italy
Pirlo and Hernandez leave the field deep in conversation at the end of a thoroughly entertaining first period, with goals from both men ensuring that Mexico and Italy head into the break level. A superb free-kick from Pirlo gave Italy an early advantage, but Mexico hit back quickly from the penalty spot to ensure this match remains finely poised.
Balotelli has been prominent so far tonight, but despite a strong performance the Azzurri talisman has failed to beat Corona on a number of occasions. Giaccherini, Marchisio and Pirlo have also looked in fine form, while De Sciglio looks a quality prospect at full-back.
Prandelli must be relieved that his side are still at full strength tonight, with Barzagli very fortunate not to have been the sent off. The central defender hauled over Dos Santos inside the area, but despite conceding a penalty was only booked for his mistimed lunge. That decision from the Chilean referee may well prove crucial at full time!
Mexico do have cause to be optimistic about taking a positive result from this match, despite struggling to keep possession for much of the first period. Dos Santos has been lively just behind Hernandez, while Aquino has shown flashes of pace and purpose in a wide role.
Italy have a number of experienced options to call upon from the bench in search of a victory when play resumes, with El Shaaray, Gilardino and Giovinco all waiting in the wings. This match is a tough one to call, with the pressure probably on Prandelli's side to force the issue in the second period.
The Azzurri get the second half underway and immediately settle into possession. Abate strides forward and aims a long pass towards Balotelli, but Moreno reads the danger to head clear.
YELLOW CARD! An over-zealous challenge from Moreno on Balotelli sees the Mexican defender booked. A forceful challenge from behind probably merited a caution, with the Chilean official quick to brandish his third booking of the evening. Given his reputation expect a few more to follow as the match gets stretched with tired legs late on.
Guadrado spurns an inviting chance to pick out Hernandez as he turns into trouble instead of electing to pass. A surprisingly open clash continues with Giaccherini bursting to the byline, with his eventual cross towards Balotelli just hooked away by Rodriguez for an Azzurri corner kick.
Rodriguez is very fortunate not to be booked after pushing Balotelli to the floor. More importantly Italy have a free kick around 20 yards from goal, which Pirlo will surely take despite Balotelli's protests. Just before the set piece can be taken Mexico decide to make a change as Aquino is replaced by defender Mier.
CHANCE! Pirlo's free kick is hit low and hard, deflecting off the wall into a dangerous position. Montolivo is first to react, controlling under pressure inside the penalty area. With the goal at his mercy the midfielder pokes a tame effort towards goal, which is caught cleanly by Corona. The Milan playmaker really should have scored from that range!
YELLOW CARD! Dos Santos concedes a free kick just outside his own penalty area with a blatant push on Abate. Mexico just cannot afford to keep giving Pirlo the chance to repeat his brilliant early effort, with the midfielder once again sending Balotelli away as he lines up a strike. His curling drive has Corona beaten but goes just beyond the top corner, with Corona breathing a sigh of relief.
In the space of a minute Hernandez and Balotelli are both livid as they have appeals for free kicks turned away. Mexico's claim looked strongest as Chicarito clashed with Chiellini just outside the penalty area, but the Chilean official remained unmoved as play continues. Moreno also definitely made contact with Balotelli with a silly shirtpull and is very fortunate to escape unpunished.
De Sciglio beats three defenders out wide before curling a cross into the penalty area, but Balotelli is the only player forward and just fails to meet the strong delivery. At the other end Mexico break to win a corner kick though Dos Santos, which Italy are able to clear with relative ease thanks to a header from Montolivo.
SUBSTITUTION: Italy boss Prandelli has decided to make a positive change, with Marchisio replaced by Torini winger Alessio Cerci. He should provide fresh legs in the final third in support of Balotelli, who has looked slightly isolated since the break. When play resumes Dos Santos shows surprising strength to hold off Abate, winning a free kick next to the corner flag in the process.
CHANCE! Flores has just spurned a glorious opportunity for Mexico, turning a free header wide from close range after meeting Guardado's curling cross. At the other end Balotelli snatches at a difficult chance, flashing a half volley well wide from just outside the penalty area.
De Rossi needs treatment after taking an elbow to the face from Flores, with the referee somehow deciding that there was no foul and restarting play with a drop ball. The official is in danger of losing control in the closing stages, with the confusion eventually ended as Mexico clear upfield.
GOAL! Mexico 1-2 Italy (Balotelli)
With time running out Balotelli shows strength and composure to score a goal that may well prove decisive. The forward forced his way through with power inside the penalty area, holding off Rodriguez to blast home with a low strike from close range. At international level that is his fifth goal in nine matches. Balotelli is booked for taking his shirt off in celebrating the goal, but Italy care little and have a narrow lead to defend in the closing stages.
YELLOW CARD! De Rossi is shown a booking, primarily for persistent fouling, as Italy retreat to defend deep inside their own half. A strong tackle from Chiellini on Hernandez is enough to help Italy retrieve possession, with Pirlo taking control to switch play with a superb diagonal pass to De Sciglio.
SUBSTITUTIONS: The excellent Balotelli gets a well-earned rest just shy of stoppage time, with the forward replaced by veteran Alberto Gilardino. Mexico have also made a final change to their attack, introducing Jimenez in search of a late equaliser.
SUBSTITUTION: Prandelli decides to use Aquilani in the final few minutes, with the former Liverpool midfielder replacing Giaccherini. Mexico are desperately trying to test Buffon in stoppage time, with Jimenez's low strike easily gathered by the veteran goalkeeper.
Italy control possession in added time with clever passing and movement, with Montolivo eventually sending the ball out while attempting to find Cerci. The Azzurri look comfortable as the clock winds down, with Gilardino and Cerci combining to force a throw deep into Mexican territory.
FULL-TIME Mexico 1-2 Italy
In the end Italy definitely deserved to claim all three points in an entertaining opening group game, with Balotelli's late winner enough to earn a narrow victory. Mexico were simply unable to cope with the AC Milan striker, while Pirlo and Giaccherini were also superb throughout.
Mexico will now surely need to beat Brazil on Wednesday to have anu chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, while Italy will move on to face Japan in their next match.
Well that just about does it for Sports Mole's live coverage from the Maracana. Thanks for your time and be sure to stay in touch tonight for updates from what promises to be a mouth-watering clash between Spain and Uruguay in Recife. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
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Mexico
Russia
New Zealand
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Chile
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