Manager Gareth Southgate made quite a few changes for this important group match in the Euros, and he brought back many of the first choice players. In the end it paid off, but not before the Italians had given England a tough test.

It was a lively start to the match with both sides showing a willingness to get forward. Italy certainly showed their intent with some quick passing moves, whilst England were more content to build slowly from the back. The first real attempt on goal came from a Marcus Rashford free-kick some 25 yards from goal on 12 minutes. The ball flew just over the angle of post and crossbar. Three minutes later the Wembley crowd were stunned when Italy took the lead. A clever bit of footwork by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma began the move and the passes came thick and fast as the Italians broke down the right. The move ended with Giovanni Di Lorenzo crossing hard and low. In came Gianluca Scamacca to crash home from very close range. It was poor defending by England but a well taken goal nonetheless.

Italy had their tails up now and the England midfield was struggling to make an impact on the play. Desperate England defending was needed following a couple more attacks, and Scamacca went close again on 19 minutes after more England dithering. The short passing across the back over and over, continued in the usual England style, and just as against Scotland, Italy's defensive shield would surely be better exposed with a few long balls over the top occasionally? After a spell of pressure from the home side and a number of dangerous crosses, things looked a little brighter for England and on 29 minutes they equalised.

Phil Foden was involved as Jude Bellingham burst through the middle into the box. His toe reached the ball just as Di Lorenzo clattered into him. Immediately the referee gave a penalty, but as usual these days, the incident was referred to VAR. No change in the decision and Harry Kane sent Donnarumma the wrong way with an emphatic spot-kick to bring up his 60th goal in England colours.

Some of the challenges that went unpunished from the visitors left a lot to be desired, but we should be used to this tactic of any Italian team by now, stopping the play with a foul when danger threatens. But Italy were still dangerous against a rather shaky England defence. A carbon copy of their goal in the 35th minute almost restored their lead but this time John Stones made a good block. As half-time approached Bellingham and Giorgio Scalvini had a coming together and then England's first long ball of the night almost brought success. Jordon Pickford's long pass found Kane who teed up Rashford but the keeper saved his weak shot.

At the other end there was still time for Pickford to make a fine save from Destiny Udogie who failed with a great chance. England were a bit lucky there and the general thought amongst the fans was that England needed to step up their game all around the team.

Fouls were the pattern of the opening salvos of the second-half with first Stones and then Foden being brought down in quick succession. Foden might have had a case for another penalty but not this time. Kalvin Phillips shot over from a good position, but it was nice to see that the largely anonymous City player was actually in the midfield for England. Both Udogie and Bryan Christant were then both lucky to avoid a yellow card On 56 minutes Domenico Berardi shot wide for Italy and then a minute later England took the lead.

After another long ball out from the back, a determined burst by Bellingham carried the move forward and his pass found Rashford. This time the Manchester United player cut inside from the left on his right foot and he buried his shot into the far corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. It was an excellent goal and shows just what he is capable of when he puts his mind to it.

Italy then came back strongly and Pickford had to be alert to save a shot straight at him. The match was far from over. This led to Southgate bringing on Marc Guehi for Stones and the youngster did well after coming on. A late challenge by Phillips on Davide Frattesi was only given a yellow card when on another day he might have seen red. With that Southgate brought him off and replaced him with the calm authority of Jordan Henderson, who also did well after coming on. His long pass so nearly found Bellingham in one good attack by England.

Then on 77 minutes the match was settled by a magnificent goal by Kane. Guehi did really well to take possession after a thunderbolt of a short pass from Pickford, the young defender looked up and aimed another long ball in the direction of Kane just inside Italy's half. Kane muscled his way to the ball, set off on a run holding off a challenge from another defender, and then calmly shot wide of the goalkeeper for a super goal.

To be fair Italy kept plugging away and three times Moise Kean came close to pulling a goal back, with Pickford saving twice and Guehi blocking another effort from the Italian substitute. Jack Grealish was brought on for Bellingham, who had given a tireless display, and England saw out the remaining minutes in relative comfort.

It was not the best performance by England but there were plenty of plusses, not least that they had completed the job of qualifying for next summer's tournament and it is always satisfying to beat an Italy team. There is plenty more for Southgate to do, but first we must negotiate two games in November to try and finish top of the group. I personally hope that when faced with massed defences we do continue to look at long passes over the top, because in this match it bore fruit.
  

Source Notes