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
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:
Pressure and problems build for Gareth Southgate as England face pre-World Cup test
On Tuesday evening, Gareth Southgate called the England team together for the first proper meeting since the Hungary humiliation. He didn’t need to say that every minute counts from now on, because all of the players know it.
They’re fully aware things need to be different from June. The England manager, for his part, would prefer a lot of things to be rather different right now.
It is difficult to complain about a trip to Milan in this kind of weather – in the middle of fashion week – but Southgate could really do with 10 days of it, and perhaps more forgiving fixtures. That’s what World Cup preparation camps usually look like as managers try to build the right atmosphere. That’s nevertheless what this represents.
Pressure and problems build for Gareth Southgate as England face pre-World Cup test
Nations League matches against Italy and Germany come as the England manager balances World Cup preparations and the need for results after a disastrous June
HT Italy 0-0 England
It’s been 405 minutes since England last scored from open play. They had just one shot on target in the first half and that was a scuffed effort from Jude Bellingham.
HT Italy 0-0 England
Nothing to separate the teams at half-time. Will we see a breakthrough in the second half?
Half-time: Italy 0-0 England
45 mins: This hasn’t been one for the neutrals. There have been sporadic moments of excitement for both sides but nothing to justify a goal.
It’s been a frustrating watch so far. England need a bit of magic, will it come from the bench?
Italy 0-0 England
42 mins: High and wide! Harry Kane goes it alone and blasts a shot at Donnarumma from just outside the area but his effort is always rising and heads over the crossbar!
Italy 0-0 England
39 mins: Bryan Cristante has a go with a volley from around 25-yards out but his effort is blocked just inside the area. Italy are enjoying a period of possession but they aren’t doing much with it.
Italy 0-0 England
36 mins: Reece James sends a low corner to the near post where Declan Rice attempts to flick it into the middle. The move doesn’t come off and the ball bobbles out to Jude Bellingham who hits a tame effort into the ground and sends it straight back to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy 0-0 England
33 mins: Sterling is fouled on the left wing and Foden curls the free kick into the penalty area that gets glanced past Harry Kane. The ball bounces out to Reece James who runs onto it and drills a shot at goal.
A deflection takes it behind for waht should be a corner bu the referee awards Italy a goal kick.
Italy 0-0 England
30 mins: Federico Dimarco swings a corner ball into the box and sends the ball straight into the hands of Nick Pope. This has been far from the most thrilling game but England are holding their own.
Italy 0-0 England
27 mins: A free kcik for Italy is sent out wide to Barella but he’s charged down quickly by Foden.
Italy are forced to retreat and switch the play over to Di Marco on the left wing. His cross find Di Lorenzo but the defender can’t control it properly and the attack dies down.
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