MANAUS, Brazil -- Pure class and pure power. Skill and strength. Creative vision and clinical finishing. Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli are a study in contrasts on the football pitch. And off it. Together, they provide Italy with two distinct weapons and on Saturday both players stood out in a 2-1 win over England at the World Cup. Pirlo set up Italys opening goal without even touching the ball and Balotelli headed in the winner early in the second half. "We take our hats off to their skill," England coach Roy Hodgson said. It was an evening reminiscent of the 2012 European Championship, when Pirlo and Balotelli combined to lead Italy to the final of the European Championship. This time, after a few errant passes from Pirlo, the midfield maestro broke open the match by stepping over a cross and fooling the England defenders to let Claudio Marchisio fire in from long-range in the 34th minute. "Pirlo is a player who can add quality in every area of the pitch," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Whether its a tight triangle, going far forward or whatever, he can handle himself in any area." At 35, Pirlo is a veteran of the Italy squad that won the 2006 title. Modest and quiet, his personality couldnt be farther from the brashness that the 23-year-old Balotelli displays. After England equalized two minutes later, Balotelli showed his nose for goal by attempting a sharply angled lob shot after drawing goalkeeper Joe Hart out of position in first-half added time. England defender Phil Jagielka headed away the danger but that only seemed to increase Balotellis appetite. Five minutes into the second half, the AC Milan forward finally found the target, leaping over Gary Cahill to head in by the far post following superb work down the right flank and a perfect cross from Antonio Candreva. "Im really happy. Its a special feeling," said Balotelli, who proposed to his Belgian girlfriend a few days ago. "Ive never played in a World Cup and its fantastic. I dedicate this victory to my future wife, who is here, to my family, and to my friends." Balotelli hadnt scored for Italy since October but the enigmatic striker now has 13 goals in 30 appearances for the Azzurri and has silenced any doubts about his lineup status. Ciro Immobile had been pushing Balotelli for the centre forward spot after leading Serie A with 22 goals and a hat trick in a warmup match last week against top-flight Brazilian club Fluminense. "I think he can score many more," Prandelli said. "Ive said it before. (Balotelli) has enormous potential. He needs to convince himself that his movements up front are decisive enough to finish actions. He gave everything he had but Im convinced he has margins for improvement." When Immobile replaced Balotelli in the 73rd, the crowd at the Arena Amazonia showered him with a loud applause. And when the final whistle blew, Balotelli put his finger to his lips as if to silence the criticism he routinely faces. Then he winked to a TV camera. Born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants and raised by Italian foster parents, Balotelli is also subjected to racism constantly back home. Before kickoff Saturday, Balotelli tweeted, "ITALIANS. Whatever squad you support, today there is only the Azzurra squad! Hate, jealousy, contempt, lets put it all aside and ALL be united!" United with Pirlo, Balotelli and Italy are tough to beat. Chargers Jerseys . Theres little time for rest, too. The Flyers and Rangers play again Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Simmonds scored in the first period and twice more in the second for his first career post-season hat trick. Mason survived a busy first period and stopping 31 straight shots until Carl Hagelin scored late in the third. Justin Jones Chargers Jersey . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. http://www.chargersprofansshop.com/Black...ey.html?cat=939. The 34-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 82 games played in 2013-14 with the Utah Jazz. Jefferson has averaged 14.5 points, 4. Caleb Sturgis Chargers Jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Kyzir White Chargers Jersey .Y. -- Dwane Casey admitted hed been concerned about his young Raptors team who had zero experience playing in close-out games -- what awaited them with the vastly-experienced Brooklyn Nets, and how theyd react.Adam Cuthbertson says Leeds youngsters will benefit from their baptism of fire in the Super League following a woeful start to the season. The Australian prop is preparing for his first lay-off in Super League after tearing muscles in his elbow in training and was forced to sit out his first game of the season when the Rhinos lost to Salford on Saturday to leave them second-bottom with just two wins from their opening 10 games.Cuthbertson has been a virtual ever-present since joining the Rhinos from Newcastle 18 months ago and made the Man of Steel shortlist at the end of his first full season in Super League after playing a key role in their charge to the domestic treble. Weve been having to not only rotate players in certain positions they wouldnt play in, weve had to throw a lot of young kids in at the deep end in a sense, he said.But I think because of all thats been happening, you can only get stronger from it. These kids are getting good experience.Ive been in situations where youve had a bit of a bad run in terms of win-loss scenario, and when you come out the other side, you see the light, you appreciate it a lot more and you can only grow stronger.Theres plenty of matches to rescue the season but its got to start now and I think it did last week. The performance at the weekend was quite a pleasing one. We didnt get the win but were on the right track.Were still quietly confident that we can turn it around and have a successful year. Cuthbertson (left) hopes to make a quick recovery after tearing muscles in his elbow Cuthbertson, who played in 34 of Leeds 36 matches in 2015, is hoping his enforced rest will help him reproduce last years form.dddddddddddd tore a few muscles attached to the ligaments that are joined to my elbow, he said. Its quite a decent tear too, so its not pretty, but Im hoping Im not out too long.Its rubbed salt into the wounds, especially doing it in training because you can cop them when it happens in the heat of battle.Ive been playing a bit battered and bruised. I broke a little bone in my hand, its an old injury Ive re-done and I think I was compensating for it a bit too much which sort of resulted in me getting this injury. You dont ever want to sit out games but I definitely feel refreshed from having the week off.Obviously we got pretty busy over the Easter period and I probably would have been rested (if it happened) this time last year, the way we were going.Im disappointed for me as player getting the injury but its not made it any easier on the team because of the amount of injuries in the squad.Watch Leeds Rhinos take on Hull FC on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.30pm on Friday, April 15.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. 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