Summary

  • England beaten in World Cup opener

  • Balotelli gets the winner with a header

  • "Best we have played under me" - Hodgson

  • Replay: Click Live Coverage to watch the match again

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

  1. Jurrasic Park!

    Costa Rica are 3-1 up against Uruguay with just a few minutes to go. What a scoreline!

  2. Former Italy and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli: "There's no favourites. Obviously, we feel we have a very good team. We feel we've learnt a lot from being in Brazil last year for the Confederations Cup, so we feel we've got a slight advantage on England.

    "We know the problems with the logistics, the organisation but, more importantly, all the problems related to the climate, especially when it comes to fitness.

    "The fitness coaches will play a very important role in getting the players fit enough to perform at their very best."

  3. Roy's choice

    Roy HodgsonAP

    England manager Roy Hodgson: "The team has been in my mind for a long time. I had Raheem Sterling in the team before he got sent off against Ecuador, so I've known for a while what I wanted to do."

  4. England vote result

    The results of the vote are in and 48% of you are feeling confident of an England win against Italy tonight. A draw gets 28% of the vote, while 24% are feeling less optimistic and have gone for a defeat.

    We'll find out in just over three hours.

  5. Join the debate at #myworldcupseat

    Richard Shaw: Kitted out the living room with England flags and all the previous shirts from the last four world cups!

    England fans@quicksil12002

  6. Join the debate at #bbcworldcup

    Dan Roan
    BBC sports news correspondent

    "Fifa operative tells me temperature pitch side is a mere 27C - so no heat-breaks (needs to be 32C)."

  7. The battle up front

    Head to head

    Skills, strength, pace and panache? Yes.

    Confidence bordering on arrogance? You bet.

    Both sides are expected to start with one man up top, and the result could yet come down to who has a better day.

    Will it be Magic Mario or Super Sturridge?

  8. Former England cricket captain Geoffrey Boycott on TMS:

    "We've tended to be cautious. We've got some talented players - we've got Ross Barkley and Daniel Sturridge.

    "When you're young and playing sport, you have no fear. Make the other side afraid of you. I hope they have a go, be positive.

    "Brian Clough told me, if you play in their half, there's more chance of you scoring than them."

  9. Join the debate at #bbcworldcup

    Ian Dennis
    BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

    The Arena Amazonia in Manaus@Iandennisbbc

    "Dread to think how much it's cost but excellent support from England fans as always. At least 5,000 expected."

  10. We are 90 minutes away from kick-off. Can England win this tonight?

  11. Team news

    Danny Mills
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "I'm surprised Adam Lallana isn't in the line-up. He keeps the ball well did well against Honduras but it's a brave and positive decision.

    "There are some rumours that Roy Hodgson may play Raheem Sterling in the number 10 role and play Rooney on one side and Welbeck on the other but I would play Sterling on the right."

  12. Juninho
    Former Brazil and Middlesbrough midfielder

    On playing in Manaus:

    "I played there once for Brazil and that is enough. It is tough. In the second half you feel very tired."

  13. Top, top shirts on display there boys.

  14. Join the debate at #myworldcupseat

    England fansRichardjstone

    Send us your pictures of where you are watching the game from. The more unusual the better.

    File them on twitter to #myworldcupseat.

    England fansTonyDay

  15. Get on the bus

    The England bus has arrived at the stadium in Manaus. Roy Hodgson is all smiles as he steps off alongside Sir Trevor Brooking.

    Optimism in the air?

    I would imagine England and Italy will both be pleased with the Costa Rica score...

  16. BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Manaus

    "A roar and applause around the media centre in Manaus as Costa Rica go 2-1 up against Uruguay. And another murmur as the screens in here show Liverpool striker Luis Suarez warming up a little more vigorously."

  17. BBC Bonus?

    Des Lynam

    Not that we are clutching at straws looking for omens before the game, but in the office we started wondering - do England do better depending on which side is showing their matches?

    Over the years ITV and BBC have taken it in turns to show England matches at the World Cup, and the national side have won eight of the 11 first-round matches that the BBC have shown since 1982.

    It's in the bag guys. Thank us later.

  18. England's openers

    Steven GerrardGetty Images

    Four years ago it was the United States in Rustenburg for Fabio Capello's squad. Again an early goal got the ball rolling, with Steven Gerrard on target, but Rob Green's clanger led to a 1-1 draw.

    How did they go out? Smashed by Germany in the last 16.

    England v USA 2010 line-up:

    Green; Johnson, Terry, King, Cole; Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner; Rooney, Heskey

  20. Heat & Humidity, Humidity & Heat

    Former England defender Phil Neville

    "I was speaking to some of locals and they said for first 60 minutes the pace of the game is like a European game but then it gets to you. I think we will see the substitutes have a massive impact. The last 30 minutes are going to be vital and you cannot lose your concentration.

    "I can only relate the atmosphere in the camp back to the Euro 96 which was really positive and focused. Roy yesterday was the most bullish I have seen him. He said we are going to do well and that was good to see.

    "Gianluigi Buffon is the captain and leader of Italy and you only have to look at the last World Cup when he got injured, Italy struggled. I think he is a massive loss."