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
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Your support makes all the difference.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 0-0 England
11 mins: England’s first corner comes from a free kick. Luke Shaw curls the set piece into the far side of the box where Harry Maguire wins the header.
He nods it towards Harry Kane but Rafael Toloi turns it out of play first.
Bukayo Saka then swings in the corner kick and Italy are awarded a free kick for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Italy 0-0 England
8 mins: Better from England! They win the ball high up the pitch through Jude Bellingham and the ball squirts out into the path of Bukayo Saka.
Saka dribbles into the box and shoots with his weaker foot. The effort isn’t the most powerful and Gianluigi Donnarumma drops low to keep it out.
Italy 0-0 England
6 mins: England have not settled at all. Kalvin Phillips takes too long on the ball and has his pocket picked.
Bukayo Saka manages to take it back but he’s charged down by Lorenzo Pellegrini who touches the ball to the byline and pulls a pass back into the middle of the box.
Luckily John Stones is covering well and turns the ball behind for a corner. The set piece then comes to nothing.
Italy 0-0 England
4 mins: Close! An early free kick for Italy is swung into the box by Lorenzo Pellegrini who picks out defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo. He looks to shoot on the volley but misses the ball and it bounces out of play after hitting his standing leg.
That could have been a dangerous one for England.
Italy 0-0 England
3 mins: Leonardo Spinazzola dinks the ball around Kyle Walker who lunged into a tackle and missed the ball. The Italian left-back drives towards the box but gets crowded out by a swarm of white shirts.
He attempts to slip a pass into the box but gives it to Harry Maguire who calmly completes the clearance.
Kick off: Italy 0-0 England
Italy get the match underway in Naples. A long ball up the pitch is won by Declan Rice but he gives it away with a wayward pass into midfield.
Italy vs England
After a lightshow for the fans inside the stadium, the teams head out of the tunnel. The national anthems are sung and the players are ready to go.
Kick off is up next.
Italy vs England
There’s a light show on display before the players head out onto the pitch. Although there are a few empty seats inside the stadium the atmosphere is electric and this is set to be a brilliantly testing game.
Jack Grealish’s bid for another bucket list tick heads for Naples after New York
Home Alone superfan Jack Grealish got to tick off a bucket list item just before Christmas by following in the footsteps of Kevin McCallister around New York.
Now the Manchester City star has his sights sets on fulfilling an even bigger wish as England get their quest for European Championship glory under way.
Grealish became a fan favourite as Gareth Southgate’s side made it to the Euros final at Wembley two years ago, only to suffer an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat under the arch.
A trip to Euro 2020 final foes Italy lies in store as they kick-off qualification for the next edition on Thursday – England’s first match since their heart-breaking World Cup quarter-final loss to France.
Jack Grealish’s bid for another bucket list tick heads for Naples after New York
The England and Manchester City player is a fan of Home Alone 2.
England ‘close’ to being successful
Former England captain Steven Gerrard has been speaking on Channel 4 about how close Gareth Southgate’s team have come to being successful.
He said: “This group with this manager and coaching staff are still close to being successful. Gareth [Southgate] said earlier in the week that we just need to go and show we can beat this type of team.”
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