Balotelli double fires Italy
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E-mail Xinhua, March 27, 2013
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Mario Balotelli celebrates with teammates. |
Italy striker Mario Balotelli scored two goals to fire Italy to a 2-0 victory over hosts Malta in World Cup qualifying Group B.
The 22-year-old, who is now in hot form, has now scored 10 goals in nine appearances for club and country since joining AC Milan from Manchester City in January, with his seventh-minute penalty putting Italy on the right track at Ta' Qali.
Gianluigi Buffon did have to deny Malta's Michael Mifsud from the spot, though, before Balotelli found his second goal at the end of a devastating team move just before the break.
Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli was thankful to the veteran goalkeeper and urged Balloteli to keep calm.
"Buffon marked this landmark like a captain with a great save at the crucial moment," said Prandelli.
"Balotelli is going to have to get used to being provoked and must maintain his calm, as he did today."
Italy did enough against a lacklustre Malta side to pull three points clear of Bulgaria, who reached 10 points with a 1-1 draw in Denmark.
Malta remained bottom of the group without a point. Cesare Prandelli's team selection was unusual in the fact he picked six Juventus players and five from Serie A rivals Milan to start tonight's game.
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