Italy 1-2 England: Kane, Rice strike to help England past Italy Challenge in Euro Qualifiers

England took on Italy in the ground stage of the Euro 2024 Qualifier. It was one of the the most anticipated game of the Interntional break, as many people dubbed it as the rematch to the 2020 Euros Final.

In that game, Italy took on England and defeated them to lift the trophy. Hence everyone knew that England was out for blood and the match turned out to be nothing less than a revenge game for England.

Leading from front Harry Kane scored for his side as they battered Italy 2-1 in the game.

First Half: England Takes Control with Early Goals

The race for the 2024 Euro cup has begun with Italy playing against England. England started the game with a shabby start, whereas Italy controlled the ball as Mancini’s men wanted it to be. It was Bellingham’s shot that was saved by Donnarumma, but it set the tone for what was coming.

Just a minute after this, it was Saka’s corner which Harry Kane mistimed but was beautifully finished by Declan Rice. Another setback came for The Azzurri when the referee called a penalty against them.

Harry Kane took the ball, placed it in the center, and struck it to the bottom right corner of the goal. With this goal, Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading goal scorer with 54 goals in 81 appearances. Another chance came to England just on the brink of halftime, where Jack Grealish missed an open goal by mistiming the ball. It was the halftime whistle, and England were leading Italy 2-0.

Second Half: Italy Fights Back but Falls Short

Italy started the second half with domination and created a few chances in the early beginnings. It was the Argentinian-born debutant Retegui who netted the ball with a sublime assist by Pellegrini. Italy looked hungry, feisty, and fiery in the second half after they smelled the equalizer and started getting the better of Southgate’s men.

Another drama unfolded on the field when Luke Shaw was sent off in the 80th minute after getting a second yellow. The game became attack versus defense where Italy looked to push their men forward with chances being created by Verratti and Spinazzola.

It was all habby shabby for England in the last minutes of the game as they looked to hold on to the lead. In the end, it was the full-time whistle, Italy 1 England 2. It was a slender win for England as they somehow managed to hold on to the lead till the final whistle. England won in Italy for the first time since 1961. England will face Ukraine on 26 March in Wembley and Italy will Malta on 27 March in an away game.