Italy 1-2 England
“It has become a bit of a Clasico, Italy against England, (we) will have played four times in two years. England are one of the best sides in the world, they have an extraordinary group of players. It will be a pretty tough match.”
While I respect the Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini, it was hard not to feel those comments on the eve of this Euro 2024 qualifying opener were a little generous.
Yes, this clash in the football passionate city of Naples was a big deal.
After all, this was a re-run of the European Championship Final when the Italians broke English hearts at a raucous Wembley in the summer of 2021.
But would you tip either nation to be back in the final again for next year’s tournament, assuming they qualify?
Highlights of the game
That debate is probably for another day anyway.
So, what did we learn from this game; the opening match in a group both sides should emerge from.
This SBOTOP writer suggested the Group C encounter may actually provide us an insight into how both nations are developing and indeed it did.
One that this is an Italian side in transition which will need time to develop; two that England are capable of beating the top nations on their day.
The qualification road to Euro 2024 in Germany may have started in the atmospheric and hostile surroundings of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but the truth was there were swathes of empty seats and a subdued atmosphere at times which played into the hands of England.
Even as they faced the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Luke Shaw received two yellow cards in quick succession, the Three Lions held on to a 2-1 success.
The hosts, keen on their own swift rehabilitation after failing to qualify for the World Cup. named a side containing names unfamiliar to many.
Meanwhile, England’s lineup held few surprises with the exception of Kalvin Phillips, who was handed a starting berth despite playing just 344 minutes of club football this season.
It was one of his trusted midfield partners, Declan Rice, who opened the scoring from close range 13 minutes in after captain Harry Kane’s shot was blocked.
Of course, there was a certain feeling that this could be Kane’s night as he chased the goal he needed to become his country’s all-time record scorer and so it proved a minute before the break.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo blocked the ball with his hand and up stepped Kane to write his name into the history books when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from the penalty spot.
It was the Spurs man’s 54th international goal, overtaking previous record holder Wayne Rooney, and it was fitting that such a special striker claimed the winner as England opened their qualifying campaign with a first victory in Italy since 1961.
The Euro 2024 betting odds had made England slight favourites for this, and they proved accurate as they defeated the Azzurri in a competitive game for the first time since 1977.
Although their second half showing was far inferior to their first, they survived as Italy lacked the required quality against more experienced opponent, evem though debutant Mateo Retegui reduced the arrears just 11 minutes after the restart.
For England manager Gareth Southgate, who decided to stay on after Qatar, some Euro 2024 highlights to savour at the start of what will be his last campaign in the role.
The most heart-warming moment of the night saw Italy wear a special message on their shirts for Gianluca Vialli, a member of Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff, who died at the age of 58 in January following a battle with cancer. As a great striker during his playing career, “Luca” may not have appreciated the result but would surely have nodded with approval at the achievement of the England man.
Key statistics
England have only lost one of their 28 major tournament qualifiers under Southgate.
He has now become the third manager to win 50 matches while in charge of England after Walter Winterbottom (78) and Sir Alf Ramsey (69).
Retegui, who plays for Tigre in Argentina, is the only player in the history of Italy’s men’s team to score his first goal for the nation while playing his club football outside of Europe.
Both teams have scored in six of the last eight encounters.
What’s next?
England now host Ukraine on Sunday teatime at Wembley in their second qualifier.
Likewise, Italy are at minnows Malta that same evening.
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