Football: Balotelli levels as Italy draw 2-2 with Brazil

GENEVA (AFP) - Daniele De Rossi sparked Italy's fightback and Mario Balotelli scored a superb second-half equaliser as the Azzurri battled to a 2-2 draw against an impressive Brazil in a friendly on Thursday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, hosts of the 2014 World Cup and possible future opponents of Italy at the Confederations Cup, came into this match looking for a win following a 2-1 loss to England last month.

Any doubts Scolari may have had about Brazil on their travels evaporated by the interval after Fred and then Chelsea attacking midfielder Oscar scored one apiece to give Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Brazil looked set to dominate but tired as Italy turned the tables after the break with De Rossi reducing the arrears in the 54th minute, and Balotelli pulling his side level only three minutes later with a fine, curling effort which beat Queens Park Rangers 'keeper Julio Cesar.