England vs Italy LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction tonight

England’s first meeting with Italy since last year’s European Championship final was only a repeat of that night at Wembley in that both sides had cancelled each other out by the end of it. Otherwise, there was none of the jeopardy, none of the tension, no penalty shoot-out and thankfully, none of the trouble in the stands either. For the 1,000 or so schoolchildren watching this goalless draw in an otherwise empty Molineux due to a stadium ban on supporters, this was a memorable occasion. For everyone else in attendance, it was forgettable.

The question, three competitive games out from the World Cup, is how much Gareth Southgate has learned. For the first time in almost four years, England have gone three games without winning. This point keeps their chance of progressing from this group alive - thanks to Hungary holding Germany in Budapest - but still bottom of the group. The last goal from open play came in March, more than four hours of football ago. While admitting this end-of-season camp could have gone better, Southgate will not be overly concerned.

After all, it is difficult to separate the sluggishness on display with the fact that these Nations League games are coming at the end of a long, hard campaign. Both teams looked tired at Molineux - more tired than they did after a month of competition last year - and the fatigue particularly told during a second half that was low on real chances. Aaron Ramsdale impressed, making a handful of important saves to keep Roberto Mancini’s side out. Raheem Sterling could perhaps have won the game, spurning England’s best chance from close range. Other than that, there was little to write home about.

Halfway through the Nations League group stage and just two points taken - Hungary and Germany have drawn 1-1 so it’s all as you were in A3.

The final fixture in this post-season clutch of games sees Southgate’s side face Hungary in three days, with the last two clashes coming during the September international break. Bottom nation is relegated into Group B, remember.

1. Italy 5 points
2. Hungary 4 pts
3. Germany 3 pts
4. England 2 pts

And so ends a match which will not live long in the memory. Another draw between the Three Lions and the Azzurri, one which mattered considerably less, had the line-ups which showed as much and ultimately provided almost no real entertainment after the first half-hour or so.

A dismal end-of-season Nations League programme continues and it’s three without a win for England, who remain bottom of Group A3.

...and it’s headed away by Acerbi for a corner. The Saints man takes this set piece as well and the whistle goes for a free-kick. Push by Phillips as he nudged the ball toward the post.

Donnarumma launches one long and Gnonto feeds Esposito in the box but Phillips is there again to clear this time.

Stoppage time. Neither goalkeeper has seen anything like a chance created in front of them at least 20 minutes. Probably longer. Three minutes are added on and Ward-Prowse has a free-kick to whip into the area from out on the left...

Inside the final five minutes.

Florenzi for Dimarco and Cristante for Pessina in Italy’s final two changes.

Marc Guehi replaces Fikayo Tomori for his second England cap in the final stages.

Ward-Prowse joins the list of booked players for a late slide tackle. Dimarco’s cross is blocked as the Azzurri look to sweep play wide and then central. It’s extremely uninspiring stuff from both sides now. Grealish overhits a pass to Kane, Donnarumma launches it out of play in the England half.

Molineux has not seen too much goalmouth action in the second half but Harry Kane almost blunders his way into a clear shooting opportunity - but fires over after a rebound lands to his left boot.

Saka on for Sterling.

Raspadori on for Scamacca for Italy. Into the final 15 minutes now and Bukayo Saka is getting ready for England too.

There’s no real push from either side to find a late winner though and it’s the same pattern of play as there has been throughout: safe passing in front of the defence, a fairly vigorous press but little at the end of it.

Sterling attempts another winding run into the box and again is turned away by the Italian defence.

It’s still 1-1 between Hungary and Germany so no changes in A3 as it stands and England would be bottom at the halfway point. Italy would be top and Germany would have neither a victory nor a defeat. How very Nations League it all sounds: nobody bothered about anything at the end of the season and no real reflection of the state of most teams.