England vs Italy LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction tonight
All the action as the Three Lions go head-to-head with the Azzurri at Molineux
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. Follow all the reaction for England vs Italy below:
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34’ - England 0-0 Italy
Something of a lull in the action as we meander toward the final 10 minutes of the half. England probably have edged it on chance volume, but Tonali did have that big opportunity too for Italy.
Abraham holds onto the ball well a couple of times but England are again unable to fashion a real chance at the end of it.
30’ - England 0-0 Italy
Grealish really should do better as a well-worked move down the right ends in Reece James crossing low. The Man City attacker merely prods at goal with the outside of his boot when he maybe could have fired left-footed or taken a touch first - then he clatters into a tackle, late and clumsy, and is booked.
27’ - England 0-0 Italy
Approaching the half-hour mark now. Big save from Ramsdale as he flies across goal to deny Tonali at the far post, saving with an outstretched boot as the midfielder ran onto a cross.
Locatelli then picks up a yellow card for going through the back of Mount in the centre of the park. First booking of the night.
23’ - England 0-0 Italy
Declan Rice is caught late as he makes a clearing challenge and he needs a moment to run it off. Italy now having more time on the ball and waiting for their moment to spring between gaps in the England defence - which has a notable switch for Harry Maguire, playing right centre-back today, with Tomori left.
19’ - England 0-0 Italy
England break down the left and some really nice, patient build-up play eventually sees Mount in behind the defence - but his cross is mis-hit and almost catches Donnarumma out. Caught in the end and the Azzurri build from deep again.
15’ - England 0-0 Italy
A couple of early goals in the other game in this group - Hungary took the lead on six minutes and Germany equalised on nine. 1-1 there.
Sterling winds his way into the box meanwhile and wins a corner for England, but Ward-Prowse’s delivery is fired over on the volley by Rice.
11’ - England 0-0 Italy
The home side certainly on top in these opening stages and the few thousand young supporters in the ground are making themselves heard.
Italy trying to pass their way into the game though and a few counters have seen them fly forward in numbers.
7’ - England 0-0 Italy
Woodwork from Mason Mount! A fine right-footed strike almost ends his goalless run for the national team but it smacks against the crossbar and Abraham nods the rebound wide.
4’ - England 0-0 Italy
Ward-Prowse sends a dangerous free-kick into the box but Italy survive. Then Donnarumma passes out weakly for the second time already - Abraham is on it in a flash but fires his effort off-target under pressure from Locatelli.
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