• World Cup

I want a kiss from the Queen if we help England - Balotelli

ESPN staff
June 20, 2014
Kiss from the Queen?

Mario Balotelli wants a kiss from the Queen if Italy beat Costa Rica on Friday to keep England's slim World Cup hopes alive.

England were beaten 2-1 by a Luis Suarez-inspired Uruguay on Thursday night and, following their opening defeat to Italy thanks to Balotelli's match-winning header, Roy Hodgson's side sit precariously close to a first group stage exit from a World Cup in 56 years.

They must now rely on other results to progress to the knockout phase in Brazil; England can only qualify if Italy beat both Costa Rica on Friday and Uruguay on Tuesday and Hodgson's men win their final group game convincingly.

An Italian victory against Costa Rica will all but ensure their place in the second round, but the Milan striker, who has been heavily linked with a summer move to Arsenal, cheekily suggested he may need another sensitive in a Twitter post minutes after England's defeat in Sao Paulo.

Balotelli's former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany said he would not be surprised if the striker got his wish.

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