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Italy vs England LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction as Azzurri win to relegate England

Italy 1-0 England: Three Lions relegated from Group A thanks to Giacomo Raspadori’s goal

Michael Jones
Friday 23 September 2022 16:55 EDT
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England suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Nations League’s top tier after a tepid defeat to Italy that raises further concern ahead of the winter World Cup.

Among the favourites to triumph in Qatar having reached the semi-finals four years ago and the Euro 2020 final, things have gone awry for Gareth Southgate’s side of late.

England failed to win any of their four June fixtures and produced a meek response to their 4-0 Molineux mauling against Hungary, with Giacomo Raspadori sealing Roberto Mancini’s Italy a 1-0 victory on Friday night.

A fifth straight match without a win means Southgate’s men have been relegated from Group A of the Nations League - a competition they finished third in three years ago - with a game to spare. Demotion is embarrassing but the performance is arguably of more concern given it is just 59 days until their World Cup opener against Iran.

Relive the action from the San Siro as Italy defeat England in the Nations League:

Italy 0-0 England

24 mins: James has another cross cleared away from the right side. England then work the ball over to the opposite side of the pitch where Foden sends it up to Bukayo Saka.

He loses the ball and Italy fly into the space he’s vacated. Barella takes the ball down the wing and whips in a cross. It doesn’t reach Raspadori and Eric Dier gets it away.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 20:14

Italy 0-0 England

21 mins: That’s decent work from England to spread the ball wide and try to draw Italy out of position. The Three Lions look more confident in possession now with Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Phil Foden linking up well.

James sends a cross into the box towards Harry Kane but Leonardo Bonucci is there to work it clear.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 20:10

Italy 0-0 England

18 mins: Italy win a free kick over on the right side of England’s final third. A rather extravagant set piece sees Di Marco whip the ball into the box and it’s turned behind for a corner.

Rice and Scamacca come together for the next set piece and the whistle goes for a foul from the Italian striker. Free kick to England.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 20:04

Italy 0-0 England

15 mins: Harry Kane attempts to charge his way into the box and shifts around one defender before running into the next two. This is a better period for the Three Lions who are controlling more of the ball now.

They need to move it quicker though and seem bereft of ideas when Italy don’t press forward.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 20:02

Italy 0-0 England

12 mins: Raheem Sterling shifts the ball away from Rafael Toloi and draws the big defender into making a foul. It’s a opportunity for the visitors to swing the ball in but the delivery isn’t great and Italy manage to get it clear.

Harry Maguire stays up the pitch as England look to recycle the ball. It’s played to Sterling on the left wing and he fizzes the cross over to the defender.

Maguire gets a glancing head to the ball but only sends it into the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:59

Italy 0-0 England

9 mins: England are struggling to get on the ball especially in the middle of the pitch. Jude Bellingham receives a pass but isn’t aware for Raspadori arriving from behind. Bellingham gets taken out and England can slow the game down through a free kick.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:55

Italy 0-0 England

6 mins: Save! A chipped pass comes over the top and Giacomo Raspadori is played in behind the English backline. He carries the ball just inside the box and forces a nice save out of Nick Pope before the offside flag is raised.

Pressure! Federico Di Marco whips a cross in from the left and finds Gianluca Scamacca who leaps above Harry Maguire and nods the ball at Pope. The goalkeeper flaps it behind for a corner and England clear the danger.

Italy are making them work already.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:52

Italy 0-0 England

3 mins: Bryan Cristante welcomes Phil Foden to Italy with a heavy challenge that leaves the Manchester City man in a heap on the floor.

England win a free kick but don’t make much use of it and Italy turn over the ball. Nicolo Barella breaks through the middle of the pitch but his pass out to the right heads out of play.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:50

Kick off: Italy 0-0 England

The last time England defeated Italy in Italy was in 1961. Can Gareth Southgate’s men break that record tonight. The England boss has named a pretty solid line-up with Bukayo Saka and Reece James given licence to operate in the wide areas.

The Three Lions get the match started with Declan Rice booting it long down the left wing and sending it out of play.

Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:47

Italy vs England

Jude Bellingham is making his 11th competitive appearance for England tonight; he moves level with Michael Owen and behind only Wayne Rooney (17) for most competitive matches played as a teenager for the Three Lions.

(The FA via Getty Images)
Michael Jones23 September 2022 19:40

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