Super Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli's two goals fired Italy into the Euro 2012 final - then he dedicated the double to his adoptive mum.

Balotelli's first-half brace was enough to secure a 2-1 win over Germany in Warsaw, and book a showdown with champions Spain on Sunday.

 

And at the final whistle, the Manchester City star embraced Silvia, who brought him up from the age of two after he was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants.

Mario Balotelli embraces adoptive mother Silvia after scoring both goals to fire Italy into the final of Euro 2012

'After the game, when I went to my mum I said "these goals are for you",' he said.

'I waited for this moment for so long and I wanted to make my mum happy. Tonight was the most beautiful of my life - but I hope that this Sunday is even better.'

Balotelli broke the deadlock when he rose to power home Antonio Cassano's 20th-minute cross.

His second was a belter, striding clear of the Germany defence to collect Riccardo Montolivo's superb through ball before blasting an unstoppable shot past Manuel Neuer.

It took Balotelli to three goals for the tournament and he is now favourite to win the coveted Golden Boot prize.

 Balotelli akimpa mkono kipa wa Ujerumani Manuel Neuer baada ya mpambano

'In the final I hope to make it four,' he said. 'I will try to score another goal but in football you can do that a lot and still never score. Sometimes you need a bit of luck.'

He was quick to heap praise on his team-mates for their contribution to his performance, which surprisingly was not enough to secure the man-of-the-match prize, which went to playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

'These two goals are really important,' he said. 'The first one was a really amazing pass from Antonio Cassano and then it was easy.

'The second one was a great pass from Montolivo, normally I shoot in the other corner but I went for the near post.'

Italy have already drawn once with Spain at the start of the tournament.

Balotelli holds off the attentions of Philipp Lahm to blast Italy into a two-goal lead, sparking a wild celebration from Gigi Buffon (below)

Dail Mail