International friendly: Poland 0 Italy 2

Mario Balotelli’s first international goal helped Italy defeat Poland 2-0 in their friendly in Wroclaw on Friday.

Gianpaolo Pazzini’s close-range strike in the second half sealed the win, in a domination display from the Azzurri over the Euro 2012 co-hosts.

The first real chance of the match came in the 12th minute, when Poland almost took the lead.

Slawomir Peszko found some space on the right side of the box, but the Cologne midfielder’s effort sailed just over the bar.

The home side looked dangerous on the break, and went close to opening the scoring twice in as many minutes.

First, Robert Lewandowski’s powerful header went just past the post, before Peszko’s long range effort flew just over the bar.

With half an hour gone and against run the play, the visitors took the lead through a fantastic strike from Balotelli.

A neat ball from Claudio Marchisio found the Manchester City striker, who unleashed a curling drive that left Wojciech Szczesny in Poland’s goal with no chance.

Italy were now controlling the game, and just before half-time Szczesny was forced into a good save to deny Riccardo Montolivo’s long range drive.

Italy continued their domination in the second half, and Balotelli almost doubled his tally in the 52nd minute.

A great cross from Montolivo found the Manchester City striker at the back post, but his header sailed just past the post.

It was on the hour mark that the visitors’ second goal did come, when a cross-field ball from Balotelli was flicked on by Daniele De Rossi into the path of Inter striker Pazzini, who made no mistake in poking the ball past Szczesny.

Substitute Alessandro Matri missed a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 when he well over after being left with a one-one against Szczesny.

Poland had a chance to reduce the deficit when they won a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Andrea Ranocchia on Lewandowski, but Jakub Blaszczykowski attempt was denied through a great save from Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy move their attentions Uruguay at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday, while Poland face Hungary in Poznan the same day.