Mario Balotelli showed off his strength and rapidly developing talent by scoring the winner in Italy’s 2-1 victory over Mexico yesterday at the Confederations Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In the 78th minute, Balotelli collected a perfectly placed acrobatic pass from Emanuele Giaccherini and muscled in between two defenders to break a deadlock in the first official match at the renovated Maracana Stadium.
Celebrating his 100th appearance with the national team, Andrea Pirlo had given Italy the lead with one of his trademark free kicks in the 27th. Mexico equalized in the 34th, when Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez converted a penalty kick after Andrea Barzgali tripped Giovani Dos Santos.
Spain 2, Uruguay 1
In Recife, Brazil, Spain dominated its Confederations Cup opener against Uruguay, winning with first-half goals by Pedro and the team’s newest striker, Roberto Soldado. Luis Suarez scored with a free kick for Uruguay in the 88th.
World Cup qualifying
Ivory Coast, Egypt and Ethiopia became the first three teams to qualify for the final round of playoffs in World Cup qualifying in Africa, with the Ethiopians trying for their first appearance ever at soccer’s top tournament. Bernard Parker’s own goal in the 70th minute delivered a come-from-behind 2-1 win for Ethiopia over South Africa in a stadium packed with roaring supporters in Addis Ababa.