Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Claudio Marchisio's opener as England held Italy to 1-1 at the halfway stage of their World Cup Group D opener in Manaus tonight.

England's forward Daniel Sturridge celebrates after scoring a goal during a Group D football match between England and Italy at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 14, 2014 © Getty Images

The Liverpool ace provided an immediate riposte by tapping home a Wayne Rooney cross just minutes after Marchisio had fired the Azzurri ahead.

Raheem Sterling, a notable inclusion in Roy Hodgson's starting lineup, came within inches of vindicating his coach's faith in him by thumping a long-range effort into the side-netting early on.

Danny Welbeck then rifled narrowly wide of the post after capitalising on a botched clearance from Gabriel Paletta.

Claudio Marchisio of Italy shoots and scores his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia on June 14, 2014 © Getty Images

With Hodgson's side yet to wield tangible reward for their goalmouth dominance, Italy hit them with a sucker punch as Marchisio fired beyond Joe Hart from the edge of the box following Andrea Pirlo's clever dummy.

However, the lead proved short-lived as the Three Lions hit back almost immediately through Sturridge, who provided a smart finish at the back post after Sterling and Rooney had combined on the break.

The Italians could have stolen a half-time lead in the closing stages as Mario Balotelli saw his lob headed off the line by Phil Jagielka before Antonio Candreva fired against the post.