AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli was proud to be part of Italy's 2-1 win over Mexico for their Confederations Cup opener.

It was a big improvement on past performances against the Czech Republic and Haiti.

"It's wonderful to have a standing ovation at the Maracanà," Balotelli told Rai Sport.

"It was a great game, a great feeling and a wonderful crowd. I don't care about the referee, the important thing is that we won. That's all.

"If we win the next game, then we can progress. It would be wonderful to play here in the Final and we will do everything to get there, it doesn't matter who it is against.

"Do we have what it takes to reach the Final? I think we really do."