Its another checkpoint for the ECB to make sure everything is in plac

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- When Mario Balotelli puts his mind to it, he can be unstoppable. His winning goal in Italys 2-1 victory over Mexico at the Confederations Cup proved his class, though he needs to maintain his focus even after scoring such goals. In the 78th minute Sunday, Balotelli collected a perfectly lobbed pass from Emanuele Giaccherini and muscled his way between two defenders to break a deadlock in the first official match at the Maracana Stadium. Much like at last years European Championship, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 semifinal win over Germany and pulled off his shirt after one of them, Balotelli reacted by stripping off his jersey to show his muscular physique, earning an automatic yellow card. If Balotelli picks up another yellow card in Italys next match, against Japan, hell miss the final group game against host Brazil. "I didnt know about this rule with the two yellows," Balotelli said. "Next time I wont do it." Perhaps worried that he might pick up a second yellow, as in last weeks match against the Czech Republic, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli replaced Balotelli in the 85th with Alberto Gilardino. "Mario has to stop showing off his muscles. The yellow cards count," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Anyhow, well done." Celebrating his 100th appearance with the national team, Andrea Pirlo had given Italy the lead with one of his trademark free kicks in the 27th. Mexico equalized in the 34th minute, when Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez converted a penalty kick after Andrea Barzagli tripped Giovani Dos Santos. "I was dreaming of a free-kick goal," Pirlo said. "It was important to win the first match and now we have three days to recuperate. Its nice to be applauded in a legendary stadium like this." In an entertaining Group A match, Italy dominated possession while Mexico relied on counterattacks, coming close when Andres Guardado hit the crossbar in the 11th. "We knew we had to contain them and try to control the ball in the midfield," Mexico coach Jose Manuel De la Torre said. "But they were in better physical condition and ultimately that made the difference." Italy moved level with Brazil on three points in the group after the hosts beat Japan 3-0 in the tournament opener Saturday. The Azzurri had not impressed in their last two matches, drawing with both the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier and with Haiti upon arriving in Brazil earlier this week, but Pirlo and Balotelli made the difference this time. For his 13th goal for Italy, Pirlo curled a spinning shot over Mexicos wall into the top left corner after Balotelli earned the foul that set up the dead-ball shot from 30 metres (yards) out. Mexicos equalizer came after Barzagli let Dos Santos get by him to set up Hernandezs 33rd goal in 51 appearances for Mexico. The 25-year-old Hernandez, who plays for Manchester United, is on course to better the Mexico record of 42 goals held by former great Jared Borgetti. As usual, the temperamental Balotelli by turn misbehaved and by turn proved unstoppable. At one point midway through the second half, Balotelli kicked his boot across the area after being thwarted by Mexicos stubborn defence. But the AC Milan striker finally broke through as the match appeared headed for a draw, holding off Mexico captain Francisco Rodriguez then powering past another defender, Hiram Mier, to slot the ball in as he skidded across the grass. It was Balotellis ninth goal in 23 appearances. Prandelli had nothing but praise for Pirlo. "No words are needed for Andrea, just big applause," the manager said. "Hes a model for everyone." For Mexico, which entered amid a stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign, the loss will extend pressure on coach Jose Manuel De la Torre. However, the Mexican side showed promise and came close to taking the lead in the second half. Mexico has won only one of six qualifiers with three goals scored, and failed to find the target at all in its last two drawn matches against Panama and Costa Rica. Despite their squads recent troubles, Mexican fans, many of them wearing their customary sombreros, hugely outnumbered blue-clad Italian supporters on a warm afternoon. In the next round of Group A matches Wednesday, Italy next faces Japan in Recife and Mexico plays Brazil in Fortaleza. Custom Houston Rockets Jerseys . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Steve Francis Rockets Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authentic-Gerald-Green-Rockets-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Clyde Drexler Rockets Jersey . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Tracy McGrady Rockets Jersey . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night.Alastair Cook says James Taylors tragic retirement can leave a legacy that could help protect players in the future. Taylor was forced to quit cricket on Tuesday after scans revealed the 26-year-old is suffering from a serious heart condition and must have surgery in the coming days. Taylor was in line to take his place in the England Test side to face Sri Lanka in May after impressing on the successful tour of South Africa over the winter and Test skipper Cook admitted he was numb when he was told the news by England team director Andrew Strauss. James Taylor would have played for England against Sri Lanka next month He was just starting to do what hes done his whole life and prove people wrong, Cook told Sky Sports News HQ. He would have played the first Test against Sri Lanka and that gutsy character is what English cricket needs. Its taken the whole cricket world by shock. This week you remember you cant take your health for granted. My thoughts are with James and his family. A career robbed short like that is a tragic waste but on the flip side at least it was spotted and hes still with us. Dr Steven Cox explains why heart problems in sportsmen and women arent always identified early enough Weve had heart scans.dddddddddddd Can we do more? Of course. Its another checkpoint for the ECB to make sure everything is in place. Will it be a wake up call to make sure we can do more and spend more money to make sure players are looked after? Of course.One of the legacies that James could leave might be to protect a number of other players.Fellow England player Jonny Bairstow, who has played with or against Taylor since they were under-13s and was a room-mate on tour with England, added his support.Everyones absolutely distraught for James. Its not something that anyones taking lightly and we wish him all the best, obviously with his operation first and then a speedy recovery.I spoke to him and hes a tough chap but its such a major thing and its going to take a little bit of time to sink in.Yesterday I was pretty shell-shocked [for him]. Now, weve got to help him through it as best we can. Also See: Taylor robbed of peak years Taylors key moments CCD1 round-up CCD2 round-up ' ' '