Sturridge scores but England are beaten
Daniel Sturridge made his mark on the World Cup with a fine goal but there was overall frustration for England as they were beaten 2-1 by Italy in Manaus.
Roy Hodgson selected five Liverpool players in his team, with Steven Gerrard the captain and Anfield colleagues Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson, Raheem Sterling and Sturridge also in the XI.
Sterling, operating in a central position, unleashed a searing hit on three minutes that travelled narrowly wide, and Henderson followed suit by working Salvatore Sirigu from range.
Midway through the first half, Sturridge was denied a simple tap-in after Danny Welbeck scampered along the right side and crossed into the centre - Andrea Barzagli was the obstacle.
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The Three Lions fell behind after 35 minutes, though; a short Italy corner led to a dummy by Andrea Pirlo, which Claudio Marchisio collected and instantly rifled into the net from 25 yards.
Just moments later, however, Sturridge stamped his name on the tournament. Wayne Rooney worked space on the left channel and floated to the far post, where the Liverpool forward side-footed in with aplomb.
But the tie tilted back in Italy's favour just five minutes into the second period - Antonio Candreva lifted a delicate cross onto the head of Mario Balotelli, who converted underneath the goalkeeper.
After mounting pressure, Gerrard sized up an inviting set-piece as the final whistle neared, but the skipper's effort carried too high and England could not find the equaliser they craved.
Hodgson's charges will now seek a positive result when they take on Uruguay next Thursday, on the same day that Italy meet early Group D pace-setters Costa Rica.