Mario Balotelli World Cup 2014: Italy striker demands a kiss (on the cheek) from the Queen if Italy beat Costa Rica
For England to remain in the competition they need Italy to win both their remaining matches against first Costa Rica and then Uruguay
England must hope that Italy defeat Costa Rica this evening to have any chance of progressing to the second round, and Italy striker Mario Balotelli has revealed his demands should his team prevail - a kiss (on the cheek) from Her Majesty the Queen.
A Costa Rica victory, or a draw in the match between the teams at 5pm tonight, and then England are out.
The former Manchester City striker, who currently plays for AC Milan, tweeted immediately after England lost 2-1 to Uruguay:
"If we beat Costa Rica I want a kiss, obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen."
The 23-year-old, who scored the winner against England last week, appears a calmer and more relaxed figure than he has been recently – the only real Balotelli story to have appeared from the Italian training camp has been of him filling the Italy page in his World Cup stickers book with pictures of himself.
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