Two goals from Mario Balotelli have put Italy firmly in control of their Euro 2012 semi-final with Germany.

The controversial Manchester City forward opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a bulleted near-post header following a clever dinked cross from Antonio Cassano.

Riccardo Montolivo then sent Balotelli clear on goal with a 50-yard flighted through ball nine minutes before the break and the 21-year-old doubled his side's lead with a powerful strike from 18 yards.

Germany had made a positive start to the game and Italy had looked nervous early on.

Jerome Boateng's low cross was spilled by Gianluigi Buffon after 12 minutes and the Juventus goalkeeper watched on helplessly as the ball deflected off Federico Balzaretti and just wide of the Italian goal.

Balotelli's goal came against the run of play and it shook the Germans, who have looked far from their impressive best ever since.

Aside from a Sami Khedira long-range volley, Germany have not looked likely to get back into the match and must improve dramatically after the break if they are to extend their 15-game unbeaten streak in competitive matches.