Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1654981324

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

Karl Matchett
Saturday 11 June 2022 22:02 BST
Comments
Southgate: An embarrassment England playing behind closed doors

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:

1654978313

68’ - England 0-0 Italy

Bowen winds his way right to left and the ball eventually finds Ward-Prowse, but his swiped shot at goal is miles off-target.

Into the final quarter of the match we go. England’s only Nations League goal so far is a penalty, late on against Germany.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 21:11
1654978033

63’ - England 0-0 Italy

Changes are afoot. Italy first: Esposito and Gnonto on for Locatelli and Pellegrini.

Three subs for England: Harry Kane on for Abraham, Kalvin Phillips on for Rice, Jarrod Bowen on for Mount.

Can the new-look attack make things happen for the Three Lions?

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 21:07
1654977847

59’ - England 0-0 Italy

It can probably be said at this stage that the Nations League end-of-season fixtures have not been overly inspiring for England. Perhaps not for many nations at all in fairness. But perhaps three points here would still yield positives for Gareth Southgate.

Grealish embarks on a winding run but his eventual pass across the box goes nowhere productive.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 21:04
1654977425

54’ - England 0-0 Italy

Decent chance for Sterling as Reece James whips a delivery over to the far post - but the City forward can’t get over the ball and lofts a shinned effort over the bar from five yards.

Grealish then passes to Sterling in the box and he shoots on the turn; this time it’s on target but easy for Donnarumma to save.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:57
1654977116

50’ - England 0-0 Italy

Ward-Prowse gives it away, Pellegrini surges forward and Italy look a threat - but eventually the blue shirts are crowded out and the end shot isn’t a concern. Gatti is then shown a yellow for manhandling Sterling as England look to return fire.

All a little flat and uninspired at the start of this second half so far.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:51
1654976877

46’ - England 0-0 Italy

Second half time. We are underway and no changes as yet for either nation. Gareth Southgate and Roberto Mancini both looking to develop the lineup in different ways for different reasons right now of course.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:47
1654976717

England 0-0 Italy

Cap No2 tonight for Aaron Ramsdale.

He has so far played for England against San Marino and Italy, which although close geographically, is pretty far apart in terms of talent and expectation on the world stage.

Neither will be at Qatar 2022 though, strangely.

Has Ramsdale shown enough to be considered the No2 to Jordan Pickford? Or will he need to have a great start to next season - or Nick Pope to have a poor one, perhaps?

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:45
1654975913

45’ - England 0-0 Italy

No time added on and the whistle goes.

Abraham and Grealish get in a muddle and Tomori has to make a good block, then Locatelli’s strike is saved low by Ramsdale.

The ref blows the whistle and we’re all square at the break.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:31
1654975828

42’ - England 0-0 Italy

Final minutes of the half now. Scamacca fires one off-target and then Pessina hits one at goal which is deflected - and Ramsdale needs to tip over the bar. Ward-Prowse just got a touch on the ball to take some pace off it.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:30
1654975570

38’ - England 0-0 Italy

Grealish and Mount combine again down the left channel and the latter curls one at goal, but it’s straight at Donnarumma who makes a routine stop.

Italy haven’t really been able to up the tempo or improve their build-up play over the last 10 minutes or so.

Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:26

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in