Match Report

Mario Balotelli scores on international return as Italy hold off Saudi Arabia

Mario Balotelli returned to Italy duty with a bang following a four-year absence as his first-half goal set the tone for a 2-1 friendly victory.

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Lineups

Timeline

1. 21' Goal! Italy 1, Saudi Arabia 0. Mario Balotelli (Italy) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
2. 45' Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Salem Al Dawsari replaces Mohammed Kanno.
3. 58' Substitution, Italy. Andrea Belotti replaces Mario Balotelli.
4. 67' Substitution, Italy. Giacomo Bonaventura replaces Alessandro Florenzi.
5. 68' Goal! Italy 2, Saudi Arabia 0. Andrea Belotti (Italy) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal following a corner.
6. 69' Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Fahad Al Muwallad replaces Mohannad Aseri.
7. 72' Goal! Italy 2, Saudi Arabia 1. Yahya Al Shehri (Saudi Arabia) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Salem Al Dawsari following a fast break.
8. 73' Substitution, Italy. Simone Verdi replaces Lorenzo Pellegrini.
9. 73' Substitution, Italy. Bryan Cristante replaces Matteo Politano.
10. 84' Substitution, Italy. Federico Chiesa replaces Lorenzo Insigne.
11. 84' Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Ali Albulayhi replaces Osama Hawsawi.
12. 88' Substitution, Italy. Mattia De Sciglio replaces Domenico Criscito.
13. 90'+3' Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Hussain Al-Mogahwi replaces Salman Al Faraj.
14. 90'+4' Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Motaz Hawsawi replaces Omar Hawsawi because of an injury.