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Italy vs England LIVE: Result, final score and reaction as Three Lions triumph in Naples

Italy 1-2 England: Goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane earn England a first win in Italy for over 60 years

Michael Jones
Thursday 23 March 2023 18:33 EDT
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England triumphed in Italy for the first time in 60 years as they defeated Italy in the opening match of the Euro 2024 quailfiers.

A few nervous opening minutes looked likely to set the tone for England as Italy attempted to assert some dominance on the game. Gareth Southgate’s men changed the momentum though through the opening goal just after the quarter-hour mark with Declan Rice turning home a rebound Harry Kane shot.

From there England controlled the first half and made some history when Harry Kane converted from the spot to move ahead of Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The second half was a contrasting affair. Italy came out with aplomb and England were forced deep into their own half. The hosts created chance after chance with Roberto Mancini utilising the fresh legs of his substitutes. Mateo Retegui then netted on his Italy debut to bring the hosts back into the match.

Two yellows cards inside a minute for Luke Shaw saw the England left-back sent off with over 10 minutes to go but despite the increased pressure the Three Lions held onto their lead and claimed a famous victory over the European champions.

Relive all the action as Italy host England in a Euro 2024 qualifier:

Italy 0-2 England

48 mins: Italy win a corner early in the second half. Domenico Berardi swongs the set piece into the six-yard box and Jordan Pickford flaps it behind for a second attempt.

Lorenzo Pellegrini takes the next one and Harry Kane clears it but goes down in pain after turning the ball behind.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:53

Second half: Italy 0-2 England

England kick off the second half. Gareth Southgate will have had an easy half-time team talk, more of the same please lads.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:51

HT Italy 0-2 England

Harry Kane has scored his 54th goal for England surpassing Wayne Rooney to become the all-time top scoring player for the nation.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:46

HT Italy 0-2 England

Harry Kane becomes England’s all-time top scorer after penalty in Naples

Harry Kane has become England’s all-time leading top scorer after scoring a penalty against Italy in Naples.

The Tottenham striker scored his 54th goal for his country, surpassing Wayne Rooney as the outright record holder. He had drawn level with Rooney during the World Cup in Qatar.

The 29-year-old made his senior England debut under Roy Hodgson in March 2015, scoring his first international goal against Lithuania in a 4-0 win. His first two-goal performance for his country came against France in June 2017.

Appointed England captain by Gareth Southgate ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Kane celebrated with a hat-trick against Panama, becoming only the third male England player to score thrice in a World Cup match after Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker.

The centre forward finished the tournament as the top scorer, winning the Golden Boot and matching Lineker’s achievement from 1986.

Harry Kane becomes England’s all-time top scorer after penalty in Naples

Kane surpassed Wayne Rooney with his 54th goal for his country

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:38

Half-time: Italy 0-2 England

45+3 mins: Close! Jack Grealish comes close to giving England a third but his shot from a tight angle flies wide of the far post.

The whistle goes to signal half-time.

If you’d have offered Gareth Southgate a two goal lead at half-time before kick off he would have snatched your hand off in acceptance.

Englan have been brilliant in that 45 minutes. They just need to keep it up.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:34

Italy 0-2 England

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. So far so good for England.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:32

GOAL! Italy 0-2 England (Kane, 44’)⚽️

44 mins: Bang! Harry Kane slots it to the goalkeeper’s left as Gianluigi Donnarumma dives the opposite way. Kane now stands alone as England’s leading goalscorer.

That was a resolute penalty and Kane goes wild after it hits the back of the net. England also lead 2-0.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:30

Penalty to England!

Italy 0-1 England

42 mins: The referee takes his time looking at the replays and overturns his own decision. Harry Kane will have the chance to double England’s lead and banish the memories of his penalty miss against France in the World Cup.

That was 103 days ago. Can he score this one?

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:29

Italy 0-1 England

40 mins: There’s a penalty check going on now. Bukayo Saka swings a corner ball over to the back post where Harry Kane and Giovanni Di Lorenzo compete for the ball.

It strikes Di Lorenzo on the arm and Kane is adamant that this should be a penalty.

VAR has called the referee over to the pitchside monitor.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:28

Italy 0-1 England

39 mins: Good from Italy! They recover the ball and give it to Barella who slides Retegui into the left side of the box. Stones holds his ground and blocks the shot when it comes in.

Michael Jones23 March 2023 20:25

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