Mario Balotelli Didn't Start Today's Match, Scored A Wondergoal Anyway

It proved meaningless in the competition—Italy was headed to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals anyway—but Mario Balotelli's goal in the 90th minute of today's Group C bout between the Azzurri and Ireland warrants our consideration regardless.

Balotelli, who came on in the 75th minute, took a corner feed from Alessandro Diamanti and—despite what might be called "vigorous" defending from Ireland—found the net with perfection. Spain rode a late goal over Croatia to win the group with the Italians finishing second. [ESPN2]