Hot shot Mario on course for Golden Boot

Mario Balotelli’s brace last night did more than secure Italy a place in the final: it put him on course to win the coveted Golden Boot award.

The striker added to his goal against Ireland by scoring twice against Germany and is now one of five players to have scored three times in the tournament. As the four other players who have scored three times are now out of the competition, a goal in the final against Spain on Sunday would see Balotelli win the award outright.

Top scorers: Mario Balotelli (Italy) 3, Mario Gomez (Germany) 3, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 3, Alan Dzagoev (Russia) 3, Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) 3.