Author: Amrit Santlani
Gareth Southgate’s England hosted Italy at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, looking to secure their place in next year’s European Championship. The Three Lions secured a 3-1 comeback victory over the defending champions to maintain top spot in Group C and secure their ticket to next year’s competition in Germany.
Captain Harry Kane scored twice, while Marcus Rashford also scored in the second half as England overcame Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri, who dropped to third place in the group after Ukraine beat Malta 3-1 to move up to second behind the Three Lions.
England threatened early on, but Giovanni Di Lorenzo made the save before Kane or Rashford could do any damage. The Italians opened the scoring 15 minutes into the first half: Stephan El Shaarawy’s cross found Domenico Berardi on the other side and he released Di Lorenzo, whose first-time cross was flicked on by Gianluca Scamacca.
Jude Bellingham has been in fine form so far this season, exchanged a ball with Kane and was brought down inside the area by Di Lorenzo. The referee awarded a penalty to the Three Lions, and captain Kane shot from 12 meters to tie the game.
Berardi and Lorenzo combined again, but John Stones intervened before the ball reached the Italian striker. Before the break, Kane played a pass to Rashford, whose left-footed shot was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ten minutes after the break, England took the lead after a fast and furious counter-attack by Southgate’s team. Phil Foden released Bellingham, the youngster passed to Rashford, who beat two defenders and scored a spectacular goal.
Kane then secured the Three Lions’ place in next year’s European Championship after picking up a long ball, beating his markers and firing past Donnarumma to make it 3-1.
To finish second, the Italians, the reigning European champions, need to beat North Macedonia at home and draw level on points with Ukraine. So, in Italy’s final match, an away draw against the Ukrainians will be enough – they will have an advantage in head-to-head encounters.