Mario Balotelli scores on return as Italy beat Saudi Arabia in Roberto Mancini's first match

AP
Italy's Andrea Belotti, right, scores his side's second goal during a friendly soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Italy, at Kybunpark Stadium, in St. Gallen, Switzerland. (Gian Ehrenzeller/ Keystone via AP)
  • Balotelli, who last played for Italy in the 2014 World Cup, broke the deadlock in the 21st minute
  • Yahya Al-Shehri pulled one back thanks to two errors in the Italian defense

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland: Mario Balotelli marked his return to the Italy team with the opening goal as the Azzurri beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an international friendly on Monday in Roberto Mancini's first match in charge.
Balotelli, who last played for Italy in the 2014 World Cup, broke the deadlock in the 21st minute and Andrea Belotti doubled his side's advantage before Yahya Al-Shehri pulled one back thanks to two errors in the Italian defense.
Mancini was hired as coach on May 14, replacing Gian Piero Ventura, who was fired in November after four-time world champions Italy lost a World Cup playoff to Sweden and failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in six decades.
Saudi Arabia have qualified for the tournament in Russia. It starts on June 14.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Green Falcons Italy 2018 FIFA World Cup Saudi Arabia at World Cup 2018