Euro 2012: England v Italy – in pictures

It's been baking hot in Kiev, Ukraine, where England are soon to play Italy in their Euro 2012 quarter-final. This chap has been making the most of the heat Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

That's one way to cool down Photograph: Efrem Lukatsky/AP

After whipping off her top in protest at women's rights in Ukraine, this lady had to be dragged from the perimeter of the stadium Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Knights' costumes. And an inflatable English bomber, too. Oh the comedy Photograph: Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters

Now that's far more original. In a farmer's field on the outskirts of Verona, a cunning artist has produced this portrait of Mario Balotelli Photograph: AP

Inside the stadium, the players are warming up. England's starting XI is unchanged from their 1-0 win over Ukraine: Hart, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Young, Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: Green, Kelly, Walcott, Henderson, Carroll, Baines, Jones, Jagielka, Downing, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe, Butland Photograph: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Wonder who this is performing party tricks with the football? Yep it's Balotelli. He's been handed a starting place in Italy's side tonight. Their team reads as follows: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Balotelli, Cassano. Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Thiago Motta, Di Natale, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

In only the second minute of the match, Joe Hart is sent sprawling by a wicked strike from Daniele de Rossi. The Italian intentionally cut across the ball when striking it, sending it spinning into the top corner. But it smacks the upright and is cleared to safety Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images

England respond almost immediately. Defender Glen Johnson weaves through his Italian counterparts on the right flank and when the ball is delivered into the box it falls to his feet Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

Johnson scoops a shot over the defender in his path ... but somehow veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon claws the ball away. Wow, what a start Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

The tempo remains high as the half progresses. Wayne Rooney almost scores with a flying header from Glen Johnson's cross, but the ball goes just over the bar Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Balotelli breaches England's off-side trap twice in the opening half hour. On the first occasion, he brings down a lofted ball but is foiled by John Terry's brilliant block Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

On the second occasion, Joe Hart smothers this awkward volley Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

Danny Welbeck and Rooney construct a neat move but Welbeck's shot rises over the bar Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

The last chance of the half falls to Balotelli, but he's crowded out at the near post and can't find the target Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

Balotelli thwacks the post in frustration. Half-time: 0-0 Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

The second half begins in concerning fashion for England. Daniele De Rossi could and should score with a close range volley, but he sends it wide Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters

For the next 20 minutes the Azzurri continue to pelt England's goal ... desperation peaks during a goalmouth flurry when Hart parries a long range shot from De Rossi, then scoops away the rebound shot from Balotelli and then sees a third effort from Riccardo Montolivo fly over the bar Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

England make a double substitution, bringing on Andy Carroll for Welbeck and Theo Walcott for James Milner Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

Carroll's presence soon creates a chance for Ashley Young, but he swipes unconvincingly at the ball and it's deflected wide for a corner Photograph: Vadim Ghirda/AP

England are stoic at the back. But surely they can't continue to soak up pressure like this? Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters

They get one last chance of their own in the 90th minute - a marvelously worked move which ends with Rooney - but the Manchester United striker scissor-kicks the ball high over the bar. It's 0-0 after normal time. Extra-time here we come Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

Gerrard and his team-mates look increasingly knackered Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

There are a smattering of half-chances but still no breakthrough Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

The Italians finally hit the back of the net through Antonio Nocerino's stooping header in the second period of extra-time, but it's correctly ruled offside ... So penalties it is! Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Italy go first ... Balotelli scores against his Manchester City club-mate Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

... Gerrard follows suit, tucking the ball into the same corner Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

... and then Montolivo misses! He sends his penalty horribly wide Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Rooney and Pirlo both score - Pirlo with an audacious chip Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

But Ashley Young cracks the crossbar with his effort and Buffon saves from Ashley Cole to hand Italy the advantage Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Alessandro Diamanti knows a successful spot-kick will earn his side victory - and he sends Joe Hart the wrong way Photograph: Michael Dalder/Reuters

The Azzurri are overjoyed Photograph: Georgi Licovski/EPA

Rooney's response epitomizes England's dismay Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Amid the jubilation there's a huge sense of relief in the Italian camp. They have been by far the better side since the first half, but they very nearly failed to defeat England Photograph: PA Wire/PA

It's all over for Roy Hodgson and England. Respectable, yet predictable. Final score: 0-0, Italy win 4-2 on penalties Photograph: Sergei Supinsky/AFP