England vs Italy LIVE: Euro 2024 result and final score as qualification confirmed
England 3-1 Italy: Two goals from Harry Kane and a brilliant strike from Marcus Rashford confirmed qualification for next summer’s European Championships
England wrapped up qualification for Euro 2024 with two matches to spare as Harry Kane’s brace helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 3-1 comeback win againstItaly.
Italy stood in their way of early progress as these nations met at Wembley for the first time since they pipped Southgate’s men to European Championship glory on penalties.
England have come a long way in the intervening 27 months and emphatically bounced back from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca’s early gut punch under the arch.
Kane struck from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down the brilliant Jude Bellingham in the box, putting the hosts on course for the point they needed to go through.
But England wanted more and returned from the break with the bit between their teeth, with Real Madrid star Bellingham beginning a brilliant counter-attack that ended with him playing in Marcus Rashford to rifle home.
It will have been a special moment given the England forward missed one of the penalties against Italy and Kane added late gloss as the skipper looks forward to leading the national team to next year’s Euros.
Follow all the reaction from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for England vs Italy right here:
GOAL! England 2-1 Italy (Rashford, 57’)⚽️
57 mins: What a goal!
England work the ball out from their own box and give it to Jude Bellingham. He flicks it past the first defender and sprints down the centre of the pitch before offloading the ball to Marcus Rashford to his left.
Rashford carries it into the box, cuts to the right and smashes it past Gianluigi Donnarumma to send the Three Lions ahead!
England 1-1 Italy
55 mins: Domenico Berardi brings the ball into England’s half but has a wall of white shirts ahead of him. He decides to go for goal anyway and blazes the ball high and wide.
England 1-1 Italy
54 mins: Bellingham is a live wire for England. He’s darting all over the place trying to earn a slight advantage for his team, be that through a high press or a threaded pass or a run off the ball.
The midfielder has been the standout for England so far.
England 1-1 Italy
51 mins: Close! Bellingham, Rashford and Trippier all press as a unit on the left side of the pitch and recover the ball for England. It comes across the front edge of the box to Phil Foden who lays it off to Kalvin Phillips with his first touch.
Phillips shoots but narrowly fizzes his effort over the top of the crossbar!
England 1-1 Italy
48 mins: England kick forward on a slight counter-attack with Harry Kane asked to wrestle possession in the middle of Italy’s third. He shrugs off a tackle and threads a lovely pass over to Phil Foden who’s arriving in the box from the right.
Foden controls the ball and tips it around Destiny Udogie who clatters into the wide man. Foden goes down, looking for another penalty, but nothing comes of this one.
Second half! England 1-1 Italy
No changes from either manager during the half-time break. Italy get the match back underway and boot the ball long trying to find Gianluca Scamacca.
John Stones shuffles ahead of him and wins the aerial ball, nodding it to safety for England.
HT England 1-1 Italy
Harry Kane has been directly involved in 32 goals in his last 30 appearances for England (26 goals and six assists), including either scoring or assisting in each of his last 10 games for the Three Lions.
HT England 1-1 Italy
England have suffered just one defeat in their last 62 major tournament qualifiers (World Cup/Euros) and are unbeaten in their last 35 such home games (W31 D4), since losing to Croatia in 2007 under Steve McClaren.
HT England 1-1 Italy
Half-time! England 1-1 Italy
45+3 mins: All square at Wembley. Italy took the lead with a sweeping move before Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot. England need to creat a few more chances from open play to really hone in on a win here.
The substitutions may prove crucial as the match goes one. Everything is still to play for.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments