Italy 1, England 2 (European Championships Qualifier)
Harry Kane became England’s outright record goalscorer as he fired home his 54th goal for his country from the penalty spot in Italy.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis goal earned England’s first win in Italy since 1961 as they began their European Championships campaign by inflicting a first defeat in 41 European qualifiers for their hosts.
And they needed every bit of luck to hold on to the win after being reduced to ten men after the sending off of Luka Shaw with ten minutes to go in a second half dominated by Italy.
And 103 days after his failure against France in the World Cup, the England captain made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Declan Rice had opened the scoring.
But after a superlative first half in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Italy were inspired to come back string in the second half and Mateo Retegui scored on his debut for his country.
It was England’s turn to sweat and they needed every last bit of guile amidst a serious of last ditch challenges and bookings for time wasting to keep Roberto Mancini’s young side at bay.
Victory meant a hard fought 50th win for England boss Gareth Southgate – only the third national team boss to do so for the home nation.
Declan Rice opened the scoring after 13 minutes after he was first to the rebound after an Italy defender blocked Harry Kane’s shot from Luke Shaw’s corner at the back post.
Italy were subdued even before that goal after a bright start as England managed to keep them at bay. Fit-again Leonardo Spinazzola was a danger.
Harry Kane claimed for a penalty against Di Lorenzo’s outstretched arm from Bukayo Saka’s looping corner and the referee agreed after a Var review at the pitch side camera.
And Kane stepped into the England history books with his 54th goal in 81 games for England from the penalty spot into the bottom right corner
Jack Grealish missed a great chance to make it 3-0 from an acute angle just before half time after Kane cut the ball back to him as England romped down the right flank again through Saka.
Italy have found it hard to score goals, having to import the Argentinian league’s top striker Mateo Retegui, 23, who qualifies for Italy thanks to an Sicilian grandparent, to make his debut.
And he showed his talent with an emphatic finish after 56 minutes after Lorenzo Pellegrini had picked him out with a no-look reverse pass with Harry Maguire out of position.
With Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi withdrawn soon afterwards, local boy Matteo Politano and Bryan Cristante came on as Roberto Mancini tried to keep the Blue momentum going.
With England suffering in the second half Gareth Southgate made his own change in response – Phil Foden replaced Grealish while Italy made another double change with Leeds’ Wilfried Gnonto and Sandro Tonali on for Jorginho and Pellegrini.
Luke Shaw was sent off for a second booking after a desperately clumsy challenge 54 seconds after his first one.
And with 8 minutes to go Kieran Trippier had to come on to replace Foden.
Reece James and Connor Gallagher replaced Saka and Bellingham who limped off as England tried to shut up shop for the last 5 minutes.
And Italy replied by introducing West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca for Marco Verratti as they had to go for an equaliser with two minutes to go.
And with England’s half under constant siege in the closing minutes, including five minutes of added time, England were able to keep it together to record a special victory.