Italy’s Mario Balotelli dedicated his match-winning performance in Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany to his adoptive mother.
At the final whistle, the Italy striker embraced Silvia Balotelli, who brought him up from the age of two after he was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants.
“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.”