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:
As England begin their next phase, Gareth Southgate enters his defining chapter
If some England players have found it a little odd to suddenly go back to international football after the most intense three months since the World Cup, it hasn’t been like that for Gareth Southgate.
This is the message he’s been drilling into the squad in a “reset meeting” before the team landed in Naples, and he has been encouraged by the “enthusiasm” shown since. This is what it might all be building up to.
Given that the manager almost quit after Qatar, the natural expectation is that this will be his last campaign, and that final opportunity at a first trophy since 1966.
Southgate himself almost made a point of refusing to confirm that but many around him have already sensed a different mood, as it feels like that he is taking every decision for now. The answer when asked if this was the “big one” or the “last one” was telling.
“Well, it’s the next one.”
As England begin their next phase, Gareth Southgate enters his defining chapter
The England manager returns after the heartbreak of Qatar as the next evolution of his team takes shape ahead of Euro 2024, reports Miguel Delaney in Naples
HT Italy 0-2 England
Here’s the moment Harry Kane become England’s all-time leading goalscorer:
European qualifying talking points
Concerns over supporter safety
A friendly game between England and Italy supporters was cancelled earlier this week amid security concerns.
England men’s supporters’ team boss Garford Beck said he received a “very sinister and threatening” email purporting to be from “Napoli ultras”.
The Italian Football Federation has now informed Beck the game has been cancelled after representations were made with them by the English Football Association.
There were clashes between Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt fans before and after their Champions League tie last week, but Southgate said he has no safety concerns as around 2,500 away fans are anticipated in Naples.
England team changes
England manager Gareth Southgate makes two changes to the team that lost out to France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year.
Phil Foden and Jordan Henderson drop out with Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish starting in Naples.
England line-up
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Grealish
European qualifying talking points
Shaw vs Chilwell
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw was the only recognised left-back in England’s World Cup squad in Qatar. He has shone for his country in recent years, including opening the scoring in the Euro 2020 final loss, with Southgate’s only other options coming from elsewhere on the pitch as square pegs.
Now, though, he has legitimate competition in the shape of fit-again Ben Chilwell.
The Chelsea defender missed the World Cup through injury but is now in fine form for his club, giving Southgate yet another positive selection headache.
European qualifier talking points
Kane able to break another record
Skipper Harry Kane drew level with Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading goalscorer when he scored his first penalty against France in the World Cup quarter-final loss.
He then missed another spot-kick to move clear on 54 goals, with Southgate’s side crashing out to the beaten finalists. Since then, Kane has become Tottenham’s record marksman and will be aiming to find the back of the net in Naples to take the England accolade, too.
European qualifying talking points
Italy targeting victory for Vialli
The visit of England will be Italy’s first game since former striker and coach Gianluca Vialli died in January. The 58-year-old earned 59 senior caps and worked as an assistant to Roberto Mancini as the Azzurri lifted the European Championship trophy at Wembley in 2021.
Mancini has already said he wants to win the game as a tribute to his friend and colleague, while Italy will wear special one-off shirts for the occasion.
European qualifying talking points
The next Southgate cycle
Speculation was rife that Gareth Southgate would step down after England’s World Cup quarter-final exit in December. But, after some soul-searching, the manager opted to remain in place and is focused on leading England to a first major honour since 1966.
A slow start to these qualifiers could see pressure ramp up on the 52-year-old as he aims for the three points to take him to a half-century of wins at the helm.
Ben Chilwell looking forward to Luke Shaw battle after England return
England defender Ben Chilwell insists he is mentally stronger after returning from an injury which forced him to miss the World Cup.
The Chelsea left-back tore a hamstring just a couple of weeks before the tournament and missed out on going to Qatar.
However, having regained fitness, he has been recalled by manager Gareth Southgate and the 26-year-old is determined to take positives from the experience.
“Of course mentally it is very challenging,” he told a press conference. “All footballers go through periods of their career when things are mentally challenging and you have to be resilient, be strong, go through it and come through the other side stronger.
“That’s the way I’ve tried to look at things like the injuries I’ve had and missing the World Cup.”
Ben Chilwell looking forward to Luke Shaw battle after England return
Chilwell missed the World Cup with a torn hamstring but the left back says he has returned stronger
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