GERMANY 1 ITALY 2: MAGIC MARIO MAKES HIS MARK.
Posted on
Jun 28, 2012
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There could only ever be one Super Mario in this semi-final, and the fact it was Balotelli and not Gomez is probably the shock of the tournament.
But what a thoroughly pleasant surprise it was to see the often troubled Balotelli finally realising his considerable potential on the international stage.
It was a moment to savour and enjoy, a moment for the sporting romantics and one that reignited this
competition after back-to-back goalless encounters that had to be settled by penalty shoot-outs.
competition after back-to-back goalless encounters that had to be settled by penalty shoot-outs.
Balotelli frustrates the Italians. But a player Jose Mourinho once described as ‘unmanageable’ was
a manager’s dream here, scoring two first-half goals that secured a date with Spain in Sunday’s final
and eliminated the favourites.
a manager’s dream here, scoring two first-half goals that secured a date with Spain in Sunday’s final
and eliminated the favourites.
Mezut Ozil hit a late penalty in second-half injury time to set u[p a nervy few final minutes, but it was mere consolation for the Germans.
The two teams conjured up a 1-1 draw in the opening fixture in Group C, with Antonio Di Natale's opener being cancelled out by Cesc Fabregas' strike.
