‘Proud’ Balotelli remains Italy’s last World Cup scorer
‘Proud’ Balotelli remains Italy’s last World Cup scorer Mario Balotelli’s goal against England on June 14, 2014, remains the last goal the Azzurri have scored at a World Cup: ‘Proud to be Italian, always and no matter what,’ said the ex-Inter striker. Italy have suffered another massive World Cup blow, losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off Final on Tuesday night. It’s the third time in a row that the Azzurri fail to qualify for the World Cup.
La Nazionale made their last appearance in the competition in 2014 and were eliminated in the group phase, playing against England, Costa Rica and Uruguay. They won the opening match 2-1 against the Three Lions with goals from Claudio Marchisio and Balotelli, but then lost 1-0 to Costa Rica and Uruguay, who went on to qualify for the Round of 16. Balotelli’s winning goal against England remains the last one scored by the Azzurri at the World Cup.
The 35-year-old striker, now playing for UAE club Al-Ittifaq, reacted to the Azzurri’s loss with an Instagram story : “Proud to be Italian, always and no matter what,” wrote the ex-Inter, Milan and Manchester City striker, adding two pictures of his appearance at the 2014 World Cup. Balotelli reacts to Italy’s loss vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Balotelli’s Instagram story after Bosnia-Herzegovina vs.
Italy.