Italy duo supplies class, power in World Cup win

MANAUS, Brazil -- Pure class and pure power. Skill and strength. Creative vision and clinical finishing.

Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli are a study in contrasts on the football pitch. And off it.

Together, they provide Italy with two distinct weapons and on Saturday both players stood out in a 2-1 win over England at the World Cup.

Pirlo set up Italy's opening goal without even touching the ball and Balotelli headed in the winner early in the second half.

"We take our hats off to their skill," England coach Roy Hodgson said.

It was an evening reminiscent of the 2012 European Championship, when Pirlo and Balotelli combined to lead Italy to the final of the European Championship.

This time, after a few errant passes from Pirlo, the midfield maestro broke open the match by stepping over a cross and fooling the England defenders to let Claudio Marchisio fire in from long-range in the 34th minute.

"Pirlo is a player who can add quality in every area of the pitch," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Whether it's a tight triangle, going far forward or whatever, he can handle himself in any area."

Pirlo, 35, is a veteran of the Italy squad that won in 2006. Modest and quiet, his personality couldn't be farther from the brashness that the 23-year-old Balotelli displays.

After England equalized two minutes later, Balotelli showed his nose for goal by attempting a sharply angled lob shot after drawing goalkeeper Joe Hart out of position in first-half added time. England defender Phil Jagielka headed away the danger but that only seemed to increase Balotelli's appetite.

Five minutes into the second half, the forward finally found the target, leaping over Gary Cahill to head in a goal by the far post following superb work down the right flank and a perfect cross from Antonio Candreva.

"I'm really happy. It's a special feeling," said Balotelli, who proposed to his Belgian girlfriend a few days ago. "I've never played in a World Cup and it's fantastic. I dedicate this victory to my future wife, who is here, to my family, and to my friends."

Balotelli hadn't scored for Italy since October but the enigmatic striker now has 13 goals in 30 appearances for the Azzurri and has silenced any doubts about his lineup status.

Ciro Immobile had been pushing Balotelli for the center forward spot after leading Serie A with 22 goals and a hat trick in a warm-up match last week against top-flight Brazilian club Fluminense.

"I think he can score many more," Prandelli said. "I've said it before. (Balotelli) has enormous potential. He needs to convince himself that his movements up front are decisive enough to finish actions. He gave everything he had but I'm convinced he has margins for improvement."

When Immobile replaced Balotelli in the 73rd, the crowd at the Arena Amazonia showered him with a loud applause. And when the final whistle blew, Balotelli put his finger to his lips as if to silence the criticism he routinely faces. Then he winked to a TV camera.

Born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants and raised by Italian foster parents, Balotelli is also subjected to racism constantly back home.

Before kickoff Saturday, Balotelli tweeted, "ITALIANS. Whatever squad you support, today there is only the Azzurra squad! Hate, jealousy, contempt, let's put it all aside and ALL be united!"

United with Pirlo, Balotelli and Italy are tough to beat.

COSTA RICA 3, URUGUAY 1

FORTALEZA, Brazil -- Costa Rica came from behind to stun Uruguay 3-1 Saturday at the World Cup, opening the tough Group D with a major upset.

Uruguay had to leave star striker Luis Suarez on the bench but went ahead when Edinson Cavani scored a penalty in the 24th minute. However, Costa Rica fought back after the break and lone striker Joel Campbell drove in a ball headed down by Celso Borges in the 54th to beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Oscar Duarte dived past the outstretched foot of Uruguay's Cristian Stuani to head in the winner for the Central Americans, and substitute Marcos Urena added the third with six minutes left, catching out Muslera to slot the ball in from a tight angle.

It was Costa Rica's first World Cup victory since beating China in the group stage in 2002.

COLOMBIA 3, GREECE 0

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Colombia started its first World Cup campaign in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0 to open Group C on Saturday in front of a big, loud pro-Colombian crowd.

Left back Pablo Armero opened the scoring in the fifth minute when his deflected shot rolled past Greece goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis. Striker Teofilo Gutierrez poked in Colombia's second goal from a deflected corner in the 58th and James Rodriguez capped it off with a low shot in stoppage time after a slick backheel flick from Juan Cuadrado.

Colombia's pace and trickery were too much for Greece to handle in the latter stages as the crowd of 57,174, most dressed in bright yellow shirts, constantly chanted "Ole, ole" at Estadio Mineriao.

IVORY COAST 2, JAPAN 1

RECIFE, Brazil -- Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.

Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0.

The talismanic striker's arrival immediately lifted the Ivory Coast team and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi's inspired substitution negated Keisuke Honda's first half goal that had given Japan the lead in a group that also includes Colombia and Greece. Colombia beat Greece 3-0 earlier on Saturday.