England produced a scintillating comeback to beat Italy 3-1 at Wembley and safe their place at Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s aspect, needing solely some extent to qualify from Group C, fell behind to Gianluca Scamacca’s early opener, however Harry Kane led the response, changing a penalty then scoring a scientific second after a breakaway strike from Marcus Rashford.
England had been once more indebted to Kane’s goalscoring heroics as he took his worldwide tally to 61, however Jude Bellingham was the actual star, profitable the penalty for the equaliser then producing a sensational burst of tempo to arrange Rashford for the second.
The victory places England on 16 factors in Group C, three forward of second-placed Ukraine, and ensures their advance to subsequent summer time’s event in Germany in prime spot.
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Lee Hendrie was left impressed by Jude Bellingham’s position in Marcus Rashford’s purpose in opposition to Italy
Luciano Spalletti’s Italy, in the meantime, now threat lacking out on a second consecutive main event, the defeat leaving them on 10 factors, three behind Ukraine, albeit having performed one recreation much less.
Participant scores
England: Pickford (7), Walker (7), Stones (6), Maguire (7), Trippier, Phillips (6), Rice (7), Bellingham (9), Foden (8), Rashford (8), Kane (8).
Subs:Guehi (6), Henderson (6), Grealish (n/a).
Italy: Donnarumma (6), Di Lorenzo (6), Scalvini (6), Acerbi (6), Udogie (7), Frattesi (7), Cristante (6), Barella (7), Berardi (6), Scamacca (7), El Shaarawy (6).
Subs: Dimarco (6), Bastoni (6), Kean, Raspadori (6), Orsolini (n/a).
Participant of the match: Jude Bellingham.
Safety ramped up at Wembley
There was a heightened safety presence at Wembley after the killings of two Swedish nationals brought on Belgium’s Euro 2024 Qualifier in opposition to Sweden to be deserted at half-time on Monday evening.
The Metropolitan Police introduced there could be a “strong policing plan” in place for Tuesday’s recreation within the wake of that incident, together with a visibly elevated variety of law enforcement officials in and across the stadium.
How England bounced again to clich Euro spot
Italy got here into the sport to a backdrop of disarray, with Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo having been withdrawn from the squad as a part of an investigation into unlawful betting.
Group information
Gareth Southgate reverted to his strongest workforce following the Australia pleasant, with Harry Maguire, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden amongst these beginning.
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti handed a full debut to Tottenham full-back Future Udogie. Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo had been unavailable having been withdrawn from the squad as a consequence of a playing investigation.
Spalletti described that episode as “traumatic” for his squad, however they seemed unaffected within the early phases, absorbing England’s stress then chopping by means of them for the opener.
The purpose was well-worked as Future Udogie and Stephan El Shaarawy mixed to launch the assault and Scamacca capitalised on slack England marking to dispatch his first Italy purpose.
Italy’s incisive attacking play contrasted with England’s extra ponderous method however when the hosts did handle to drive a gap, it resulted of their penalty, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo lunging in on Bellingham and the choice rightly upheld by VAR.
Kane dispatched the spot kick coolly to revive parity and England had an opportunity to go forward quickly afterwards when the striker expertly took down Jordan Pickford’s lengthy kick and fed Rashford, whose low, angled shot was parried by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
England nearly conceded a second in first-half stoppage time, nevertheless, when Udogie’s low effort, following intricate build-up play, compelled a low, one-handed save from the alert Pickford.
That probability was one other warning signal to the hosts however they emerged from the break with far higher urgency to their play as Phillips fired over from Phil Foden’s lay-off earlier than Rashford put them in entrance.
It was a blinding purpose, the transfer beginning deep in England territory as Foden fed Bellingham, who charged by means of the guts of Italy’s defence in sensational type earlier than discovering Rashford. The Manchester United ahead then reduce inside and buried a low end.
Bellingham was proving too good for Italy, delivering one other show to defy his years, and so too was the electrical Foden, who drew one other save from Donnarumma earlier than Kane added the third.
It was one other nice purpose because the England captain held off two Italy defenders to run by means of on purpose and end coolly previous Donnarumma, creating a celebration environment inside the bottom as England celebrated their advance to an eighth consecutive main event with two video games to spare.
What’s subsequent?
England return to motion subsequent month to play their remaining two Euro 2024 qualifiers as they host Malta at Wembley on November 17; kick-off 7.45pm.
Gareth Southgate’s aspect then end their Group C marketing campaign with an away recreation in opposition to North Macedonia on November 20; kick-off 7.45pm.
In the meantime, Italy’s remaining two qualifiers in November are in opposition to North Macedonia at house and Ukraine away.