Italy vs Uruguay World Cup 2014: Mario Balotelli booked for kneeing Alvaro Periera in the back of the head, but he won't be suspended after Italy knocked out

Balotelli picked up the booking early in the first half of the Group D decider with Uruguay

(Getty Images)

Mario Balotelli picked up a one-match suspension for earning his second yellow card in Brazil after he clumsily caught Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira in the back of his head with his knee.

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However, the striker will not serve his ban after Italy were knocked out of the World Cup, following their 1-0 defeat to the Uruguayans that saw them finish third in Group D.

Furthermore, many will not even remember the collision given the furore surround an alleged bite from Luis Suarez on Balotelli's team-mate Giorgio Chiellini midway through the second half.

In a match that Italy needed to at least draw to progress, Balotelli was given a yellow card early on after he showed his athletic ability in nearly jumping straight over a standing Alvaro Periera, kneeing him in the back of the head in the process before crashing to the ground.

Italy had to ensure they were not beaten by the Uruguayans to set-up a second round clash with one of the sides in Group C, with Colombia and one of Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece set to reach the knockout stages.

Balotelli was booked for this challenge on Alvaro Pereira during Italy's World Cup clash with Uruguay (ITV)

But Diego Godin's header was enough to seal the victory required to take the South American nation through to the last-16 - although it was Suarez's latest controversial incident that has stolen the headlines.