FIFA World Cup 2014, Highlights: Claudio Marchisio, Mario Balotelli Score as Italy Beat England 2-1

Italy defeated England 2-1 in their first 2014 FIFA World Cup match.Catch all the highlights from the Group D match here.

5:24 IST: After five minutes of additional time, it's the final whistle. Italy have defeated England 2-1 after some breathtaking football from the two European giants.

5:14 IST: Gerrard misses from his free kick in the 85th minute and it's all slipping away from England very quickly now. Looks like Italy are going to end as winners.

5:08 IST: Daniel Sturridge has been called out and England are looking increasingly fragile. Time is running out with about 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

4:50 IST: Wayne Rooney had a clear sight of goal in the 62nd minute but he makes a hash of it. Roy Hodgson looks frustrated. Anguish for England. They fail to draw level.

4:48 IST: England are looking desperately for the equaliser. It has been a cracker of a game so far. Sturridge and Sterling are the hit men for the English. Can they draw level?

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4:40 IST: GOAL! Mario Balotelli scores in the 50th minute as Italy go ahead 2-1. This is cracking soccer. England were the first ones to attack after the break but it is Italy again, who nose ahead.

4:17 IST: After a thrilling first-half, England 1 - Italy 1. This has been a sensational game so far with both teams taking on the other strongly. Marchisio scored in the 35th minute for Italy while England responded two minutes later through Sturridge. The second half can only get better.

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4:07 IST: GOAL! England respond immediately through Daniel Sturridge as Roone and Sterling work out the Italian defence. Sensational stuff with the score on 1-1.

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4:05 IST! GOAL! Claudio Marchisio scores for Italy as they go 1-0 ahead against England. What an anticlimax this is for it was England, who were looking far more aggressive but Marchisio's goal against the run of play lifts the Azzuris.

3:53 IST: In the 24th minute, Welbeck created a close chance for England, picking up an unmarked Sterling, who failed to convert it to a goal. This is a very different England; aggressive and fierce. Roy Hodgson has certainly looked like he wants to live up to his promise.

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3:52 IST: This has been a fascinating contest so far, undoubtedly also emotional for Italy as their legend, Pirlo sets out to possibly play his last World Cup. The veteran would like to see his side do something special after the disappointment of 2010, where they played as defending champions.

3:41 IST: Danny Welbeck's shot goes flying past the post but the Italian defence is feeling the heat for sure. Sturridge, Sterling and Welbeck are creating massive pressure in the Italian half.

3:40 IST: These have been an exciting first ten minutes to the game. England's young strikers have looked fearless and aggressive against an Italian side that is packed with a few players on the wrong side of 30. Could this be a goal fest?

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3:36 IST: Salvatore Sirigu, replacing Buffon, has huge boots to fill and he has been under early pressure, first from Sterling in the 4th minute and then from Jordan Henderson in the fifth. This game has started on a pacey note.

3:34 IST: Raheem Sterling came ever so close to score for England but his shot sailed past the post by a whisker. Sirigu under early pressure.

3:31 IST: England vs Italy gets underway. Italy are without their ever reliable goalkeeper Buffon. He has been replaced by Sirigu.

3:29 IST: Italy have not won their last four World Cup games; their last win was against Germany in the 2006 semi-final. This will be a tough challenge against England.

3:28 IST: This is the big one in Group D. England vs Italy. The two teams have met only one in the World Cup before in 1990, which Italy won 2-1.

England have been underachievers of late in the FIFA World Cup and they will take on 2006 world champions Italy in hot and humid conditions in Manaus. Roy Hodgson has packed his English side with a lot of talented youngsters but will they be able to upset the Italian cart? Italy will of course miss the services of ace goalkeeper after he picked up an injury on Friday but they still have enough firepower in a team led by the tactical acumen of Pirlo.

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England Face Early Italian Test

England and Italy begin their World Cup campaigns in the suffocating humidity of the Amazon jungle on Saturday while FIFA reel from ongoing blundering referees and Spain lick their wounds.

As well as the oppressive climate in Manaus, once the bustling centre of Brazil's 19th century rubber industry, both England and Italy will have to contend with a playing surface condemned as not fit for purpose by a players union.

However, England boss Roy Hodgson said he was happy with the surface having seen it first hand on Friday. (Read full story)

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Gianluigi Buffon Set to Miss Match vs England

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says he doesn't expect to face England in their World Cup opener on Saturday, following an ankle injury in training.

Buffon, who picked up the injury at the Arena da Amazonia on Friday, wrote on his Twitter account "there are many ways to be important, even if you can't be a protagonist on the pitch. ... So go Salvatore." (Read full story)

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Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo Still Hungry for Italian Job

They may have a combined age of 71 but Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo are as hungry as Italy's young guns as they embark on a possible World Cup swansong this summer.

Buffon, a World Cup winner in 2006, is now 36 years old but the Juventus goalkeeper is quick to parry any suggestions his winning desire is on the wane.

"I'm still hungry," said Buffon when asked his feelings ahead of Italy's quest for a record-equalling fifth World Cup title.(Read full story)

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England Will Play Attacking Football vs Italy, Assures Manager Roy Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson vowed to go on the attack against World Cup first round opponents Italy as his team touched down in Brazil in Rio on Sunday.

Hodgson's team was roundly criticised for a perceived negative approach during their Euro 2012 campaign in which they crashed out on penalties in the quarter-finals after being dominated in a lacklustre 0-0 draw with the Italians.

But this time around, Hodgson says they won't be afraid to have a go when beginning their Group D campaign against the Azzurri in Manaus on Saturday, although not at the expense of keeping a mindful eye on their defensive duties. (Read full story)