La Repubblica

La Repubblica praised Mario Balotelli and criticised Wayne Rooney in equal measure after their differing roles in Italy’s 2-1 win over England. “Balotelli was the protagonist and left the field smiling, winking to the cameras, throwing kisses to his girlfriend in the stands, and raising his index finger in front of the nose as if to say ‘shut up’ to the English. Rooney was disappointing and is in a phase of devolution. We now understand all the controversy that has appeared in the English papers.”

There was also a special mention for Andrea Pirlo, who at 35-years-old will retire from international football at the end of the World Cup. “Master Pirlo has been confirmed as an idol not only in Italy but in the world and particularly in Brazil, where they worship his feet.”

“England was not quite up to the Azzurri”, it continued. “Italy dominated the game and did not let themselves be drawn into the vortex of a physical game which gave them the rhythm. Up to the hour mark, it was not a good game. But precisely at this moment, Italy built and maintained its supremacy. Certainly the enthusiasm and the air of the World Cup leads us to play with national heart.”

Italy face an in-form Costa Rica on Friday, who themselves shocked Uruguay with a 3-1 win. “The journey started well, although Costa Rica will force Italy to give everything in the next game, it is a good walk, take it without too much anxiety.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

One of La Gazzetta dello Sport’s headlines read as “Why always him? England Balotelli nightmare” and it described Italy’s win in their opening World Cup game as “the antechamber of heaven” and England’s line-up as “Sterling aside, it was the team we expected. Strong in attack, fragile in midfield, modest in defence”.

It also mentioned how “the result rewarded the courage of those who always tried” and alluded to Italy’s marked improvement against England compared to their recent friendly results, which included a goalless draw with Ireland and a 1-1 draw with Luxembourg. “The national team do not shine in friendlies, but not in official matches they are almost never wrong. There is a reason.”

Corriere dello Sport

Here, the focus was more on describing the individual performances. Antonio Candreva’s performance was “stunning” while Pirlo was “always decisive”. Balotelli overcame a poor first half in which he was “too isolated and poorly served by his companions” to become “lethal: sly for most of the match but scored the goal that is worth its weight in gold. The problem remains the defence of Italy, still shaky, not glossy”.

Of the England team, it added: “Welbeck, Sturridge and Sterling often changed position and initially left no points of reference to the Italian defence. Gerrard was out of the game, Rooney a ghost. For England the World Cup is now uphill.”