England’s tournament campaigns often end in glorious failure, this one began with something similar – a defeat full of rich promise.
They attacked with pace and panache – especially when Raheem Sterling and Wayne Rooney combined to lay on Daniel Sturridge’s opener, so soon after Claudio Marchisio’s opener.
In fact, England were everything they usually are not at major tournaments. Thrilling in attack, dodgy in defence.
But Steven Gerrard could not prove himself the string-pulling equal of Andrea Pirlo and so Italy ultimately merited their narrow victory for their superior cunning. Now England are likely to be out of the World Cup if they are beaten by Uruguay on Thursday.
But how did Roy Hodgson's men fare? Here's John Cross with his player ratings.
ENGLAND
Joe Hart 6
Made an early fumble but was fairly solid. Was helpless on Italy's opener as he was left completely unsighted.
Glen Johnson 7
Survived an early shout for handball against him. The better of the two full backs. Good attacking threat.
Gary Cahill 6
Lost Balotelli for Italy's second goal. Italy's movement tested England's defence and they struggled at times.
Phil Jagielka 7
Terrific goal saving header off the line to stop Balotelli's shot. Played well, especially to cover Baines.
Leighton Baines 5
Was left horribly exposed – largely because he got little protection from Rooney – as Italy stretched him. A weak link.
Steven Gerrard 6
Had a disappointing game by his standards. Struggled against the brilliance of Pirlo and with Italy's movement.
Jordan Henderson 7
Worked really hard, broke up play and got forward. Also had a searing shot brilliantly saved by Italy keeper Sirigu.
Danny Welbeck 8
Had another impressive game, this time on the right. Great energy, a threat going forward and created plenty of danger.
Raheem Sterling 8
Hodgson's big gamble was fully justified. One of England's best players. Wonderful moments and great vision.
Wayne Rooney 6
Played on the left and offered little defensive cover. But laid on a beautiful inch perfect cross for Sturridge.
Daniel Sturridge 7
Brilliant finish to equalise. Worked so hard. Hodgson challenged him to be a star – he shone brightly.
SUBSTITUTES
Barkley, for Welbeck, 61 mins, 7 Thrown on to provide extra power and pace in the closing stages.
Wilshere, for Henderson, 73 mins, 7 Came on to try and give England a new spark.
ITALY
Salvatore Sirigu 7
A late replacement following Gianluigi Buffon’s ankle injury. Made a series of important saves and blameless for Daniel Sturridge’s goal for England.
Matteo Darmian 6
Constantly pushed forward to exploit Wayne Rooney’s reluctance to track back but the hole he left was exploited for England’s equaliser.
Andrea Barzagli 7
Made a wonderful goal-saving intervention from a first-half Danny Welbeck cross but was unable to cover Rooney for Sturridge’s goal.
Gabriel Paletta 4
Might have conceded two penalties for challenges on Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard – also beaten by Sturridge for England’s equaliser.
Giorgio Chiellini 6
Forced to play out of position at left-back. Defensively sound but offered no width going forward.
Daniele de Rossi 7
Typically combative at the base of midfield, with his pressing and passing key to Italy's dominance of possession.
Antonio Candreva 8
Tested Joe Hart with a low first-half effort, rattled the post and then provided the cross for Mario Balotelli’s goal.
Andrea Pirlo 9
Dictated the match tempo, had a convincing penalty shout rejected and played a wonderful dummy in build-up to Claudio Marchisio’s goal.
Marco Verratti 6
Combined effectively with Pirlo to ensure Italy’s control of possession but his passing lacked incision.
Claudio Marchisio 7
Showed both composure and clinical accuracy with his low finish to put Italy into the lead and gave Glen Johnson plenty of problems.
Mario Balotelli 7
Had limited service but clinical for Italy’s second after only being denied earlier by a brilliant Phil Jagielka clearance.
Substitutes
Thiago Motta was supposed to solidify Italy’s midfield but they lost impetus after Verratti was substituted. Ciro Immobile also replaced Balotelli while Marco Parolo helped Italy see out the game after coming on for Candreva
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