(Sporting Alert) — Mario Balotelli scored a second screamer in helping Italy came from two-goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Brazil in a friendly international at Stade de Geneve on Thursday.
Video Highlights: Mario Balotelli scores stunner: Italy 2, Brazil 2
Full Scoring And Other Video Highlights From The Games
Brazil grabbed the lead against the run of play when Fred fired home from a tight angle to beat Gianluigi Buffon at his near post in the 33rd minute.
A brilliant long run from Neymar helped to setup the second goal for Brazil after he laid the pass off of Chelsea playmaker Oscar to slot past Buffon in the 42nd minute.
Brazil went into the second half with a 2-0 lead.
However, after the break, Italy dominated and cut the lead to 2-1 when Daniele De Rossi nipped one past the goalkeeper 54th minute.
Balotelli then fired home from long range, over the head of Julio Cesar to grab Italy’s equalizers, with Chelsea defender David Luiz receiving most of the sticks for some poor defending.
Italy could have scored a winner on several occasions, with Balotelli getting another chance.
Italy v Brazil
Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, De Sciglio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Giaccherini, Osvaldo, Balotelli
Subs: De Sanctis, Antonelli, Poli, Abate, Gilardino, Giovinco, Astori, El Shaarawy, Ranocchia, Candreva, Diamanti, Cerci, Sirigu, Marchetti
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Luiz, Dante, Filipe Luis, Fernando, Hernanes, Oscar, Neymar, Hulk, Fred
Subs: Cavalieri, Jean, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Gustavo, Diego Costa, Kaka, Osvaldo
Referee: Stephan Studer (Switzerland)
