Mexico – Italy 1:2 (end)
final
Mexico
1:2 (1:1)
Italy
Sunday 16.06.2013, 21:00 • Confederations Cup
     
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    In an even second half Italy had the better opportunities – though not by much – and one of them brought the 2-1 game winner by Mario Balotelli.

    For Italy it's a perfect start into this tournament while Mexico now have more or less to win their game against hosts Brazil to keep their chances for a semifinal qualification alive.
     
    Game over.
     
    90+2
    Italy have a lot of ball possession inside the Mexican half. Doesn't look like Mexico could fight back here anymore.
     
    90
    Three minutes are added to the game.
     
    88
    Distance shot by the Mexicans through the new man Raúl Jimenez, no problem at all for Buffon.
     
    87
    Last possible change for Italy. Giaccherini is substituted by Aquilani.
     
    87
    Raul Jimenez enters the pitch for Zavala. Second change by Mexico.
     
    85
    Italy use their second option for a change. Mario Balotelli leaves the pitch with a lot of applause from the fans in Brazil and in for him now is Alberto Gilardino.
     
    84
    Through ball for Cerci but he isn't fast enough and the ball crossed the endline before he could reach it.
     
    82
    Italy play with 8 men defending all time now. They are known for their brilliant defense. Mexico need a little wonder in the last minutes of play.
     
    81
    De Rossi (Italy) gets a yellow card.
     
    78
    Goal for Italy!

    MARIO BALOTELLI gets Italy back in front with a superb individual effort! After a high lob by Giaccherini he forced his way through three defensemen and with a sideways scissor-kick he scored the 2-1 from short distance past the chanceless Corona!
     
    75
    Flores with a scoring attempt from the second row, easily cleared by Buffon. Mexico is gettin stronger.
     
    73
    Harmless shot by Balotelli that goes wide.
     
    70
    Abate with a foul against dos Santos just next to the corner kick flag. The game has lost a lot of speed recently.
     
    68
    First change by Italy. Cerci enters the match for Marchisio who didn't have his best day.
     
    66
    Again the duel between Chiellini and dos Santos and this time the Italian defender wins the ball in a brilliant way.
     
    65
    Chiellini throws himself into a cross by Giovani dos Santos – corner for Mexico from the right side but it stays very harmless.
     
    64
    Corona intercepts a cross from the left wing just before Balotelli can reach it.
    Commentary by

    Dennis Mende

    Goals & lineups
    Goals: 34. Hernández (pen.) – 26. Pirlo, 78. Balotelli

    Cards:   47. Moreno (MEX), 57. Santos (MEX) – 33. Barzagli (ITA), 81. Rossi (ITA)

    Mexico: Corona – G. Flores, Maza, H. Moreno, Salcido – Torrado, J. Zavala (87. R. Jiménez) – J. Aquino (52. Mier), Giovani, Guardado – J. Hernández
    Italy: Buffon – Sciglio, Chiellini, Barzagli, Abate – Pirlo, De Rossi – Giaccherini (87. Aquilani), Montolivo, Marchisio (68. Cerci) – Balotelli (85. Gilardino)
    Referees: Osses