World Cup 2014: England fans give their verdict on Italy game

Описание: English fans in Manaus assess the team's performance after Italy beat them 2-1 in their first Group D match of the 2014 Fifa World Cup

England football fans were left heartbroken in the Amazonian city of Manaus on Saturday after Italy won 2-1 in their first Group D match of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Italy grabbed the winner in the 50th minute when midfielder Antonio Candreva outfoxed England left back Leighton Baines and chipped a cross deep into the area for Mario Balotelli to head in from close range at the far post.

England otherwise dominated the second half but could not find a way past backup keeper Salvatore Sirigu, deputising for the injured Gianluigi Buffon.

"Second half, we just blew ourselves out with the heat and everything else. Other than that, they were not good enough England, not good enough today," said Dede Murray from London.
But some remained confident of a comeback by the England team.

"Don't worry, the pride, the passion and the belief will be there on the nineteenth," referring to the team's next Group D match against Uruguay, who on Saturday surprisingly lost to Costa Rica in their first match of the tournament.

Paul Farrell, an England fan dressed up as knight, complete with chain mail headpiece, said he was still proud of his team's performance.

"The game was OK. I thought they played well, it was very positive. We had our chances," he said.

Italy are now joint top of the group with Costa Rica while England must beat Uruguay in their next game to retain realistic hopes of reaching the last 16.

The defeat meant England have not beaten a major nation at the World Cup since a 1-0 win over Argentina in 2002.

Source: AP and Reuters

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