Balotelli Gives Pirlo-Inspired Italy Win

[Folami David]

Mario Balotelli scored the winner and Andrea Pirlo, capping a majestic 100th international appearance by scoring with a 30-metre free kick, provided the inspiration as Italy beat Mexico 2-1 in their opening Confederations Cup match on Sunday.
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Pirlo's goal was entirely worthy of the hallowed Maracana, which provided the perfect stage as he became the fifth Italian to reach a century of full internationals.
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The 34-year-old brought the fickle and notoriously difficult-to-please Maracana crowd to its feet as he curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner in the 27th minute from distance.
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The crowd chanted Pirlo's name before and after the goal, the rarest honour for a foreign player on a stage previously graced by the likes of Garrincha, Pele, Zico and Romario.
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"I don't have words to describe Pirlo, he's an example to everyone," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters.
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Balotelli's goal was more about power as he latched on to Emanuele Giaccherini's flicked pass, barged past defender Francisco Rodriguez and fired the ball past Jose Corona with 12 minutes to go. Javier Hernandez had replied for Mexico with a penalty seven minutes after Pirlo's masterpiece.
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Balotelli, whose notorious temper had been bubbling under the surface for most of the second half, took his shirt off in celebration, earning a yellow card and a reprimand from his coach.
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"He wanted to take his shirt off and show his muscles, but all the yellow cards count," said Prandelli, who has previously suspended Balotelli for indiscipline with former club Manchester City.
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"But he played well and didn't let anyone get to him.
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He was attentive for the whole game and has shown strength of character."
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Balotelli said he did not realise that he was not allowed to take off his shirt.
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"I didn't know the rules, I won't do it again," he told Italian media.
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The defeat heaped more pressure on Mexico's under-fire coach Jose Manuel de la Torre, whose team have been held to draws at home by Costa Rica, Jamaica and the United States in World Cup qualifying.