(Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Coach Cesare Prandelli of Italy looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Danny Welbeck of England controls the ball past Gabriel Paletta of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Antonio Candreva of Italy is challenged by Leighton Baines of England during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil.
(Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Wayne Rooney of England (C) prepares to walk out to the pitch ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: (L-R) Raheem Sterling of England, Danny Welbeck of England, Wayne Rooney of England and Gary Cahill of England line up prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. Steven Gerrard (England) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.Adam Lallana (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Gary Cahill (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Thiago Motta tries a through ball, but Ciro Immobile is caught offside.Attempt missed.
AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINISMANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Andrea Pirlo of Italy looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil.
Media playback is not supported on this device (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)MANAUS, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Steven Gerrard of England shakes hands with referee Bjorn Kuipers prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. "England's players tired visibly towards the end of a game played in the tropical climate of Brazil's Amazonian rainforest, and Hodgson must hope not too much energy has been drained from his players.There was also a blow for England's backroom staff as physiotherapist Gary Lewin was taken off on a stretcher after being injured celebrating Sturridge's goal.Liverpool's Raheem Sterling made a stand-out contribution after he was selected to start, and England looked a constant threat going forward until they ran out of steam in a humid and oppressive atmosphere.Italy still produced moments of quality and struck the woodwork through Antonio Candreva and a late free-kick from Andrea Pirlo, who defied his 35 years and the environment to stroll through the game with his trademark quality.England now fly back to Rio to recover knowing they will threaten any side in their group, but further repeats of defensive frailties could be fatal for their World Cup ambitions.He illustrated exactly why Hodgson had chosen him in the opening moments with pace and a shot that flew inches wide with Italy keeper Salvatore Sirigu, deputising for the injured Gianluigi Buffon, beaten.Sirigu then saved from Jordan Henderson but Italy, with Pirlo inevitably the orchestrator, were causing problems of their own as the left-sided link of Leighton Baines and Rooney looked very much like a work in progress.England were a real threat, albeit this was coupled with flaws at the back, and it took a crucial touch from Italy defender Andrea Barzagli to divert Danny Welbeck's cross away with Sturridge waiting to apply the finishing touch.The heat of Manaus was making no difference to Pirlo's languid style, and he was instrumental - without touching the ball - as Italy took the lead on 35 minutes.Pirlo deceived Sturridge with a clever dummy following a corner, setting up Marchisio to drill a low shot from 25 yards through a crowded penalty box and past a blameless Joe Hart.Italy have scored in each of their past 15 World Cup matches, a national record and the longest current run of any side in the World Cup.England needed a swift response, and delivered it almost instantly.