England and Italy meet once again, this time in the Uefa Nations League after the dramatic penalty shootout between the two in the Euro 2020 final last summer. Then it was the Azzurri who triumphed – but failed to build on that success as Roberto Mancini’s team lost in a World Cup qualifier. As a result, it will not be in Qatar 2022, where England will try to reach at least a third consecutive grand final of the tournament, having qualified easily. Gareth Southgate’s team has not had such positive results in the Nations League so far, they lost to Hungary and a draw with Germany in two games last week. Harry Kane scored his 50th goal in England in the last, from the penalty spot, and is now just three away from Wayne Rooney on the all-time list of top scorers. Italy are still looking for the right combinations in the attack after injuries such as Nicolo Zaniolo, Domenico Berardi and – in the long run – Federico Chiesa. However, England will make their own changes, with Southgate scoring the unusual time of four Quickfire games. “The teams are thinking about the players’ well-being to some degree, the freshness, but they are also preparing for a World Cup because they know what is coming and what they do not have in relation to friendlies in view of the tournament,” he said. Watch all the build-up, the team news and the action of the match for England against Italy below:
England vs Italy
Starting at 7:45 p.m. BST ENG XI: Ramsdale, James, Trippier, Maguire, Tomori, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Sterling, Mount, Grealish, Abraham ITA XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Acerbi, Dimarco, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Pessina, Scamacca, Pellegrini
Show last update 1654977425
54 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Decent opportunity for Sterling as Reese James delivers on the crossbar – but the City forward can’t get past the ball and makes a good effort over the crossbar by five yards. Grialis then passes to Sterling in the big area and he shoots on the turn. this time it is apt but easy for Donnarumma to save. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:57 1654977116
50 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Ward-Prowse gives it away, Pellegrini comes forward and Italy looks threatening – but eventually the blue shirts are squeezed and the final shot is not a concern. Gatti is then shown a yellow card for handling Sterling as England try to respond to the fire. All a bit flat and uninspiring at the beginning of this second half so far. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:51 1654976877
46 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Second half. We are in progress and there are still no changes for either of the two nations. Gareth Southgate and Roberto Mancini both want to develop the lineup in different ways for different reasons right now of course. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:47 1654976717
England 0-0 Italy
Cap No2 tonight for Aaron Ramsdale. So far he has played against England against San Marino and Italy, which, although geographically close, is quite far in terms of talent and expectations on the world stage. Surprisingly, however, neither will be in Qatar 2022. Has Ramsdale shown enough to be considered No. 2 in Jordan Pickford? Or will he need to start the next season well – or Nick Pope to have a bad one, maybe? Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:45 1654975913
45 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
No time was added and the whistle goes. Abraham and Grealish get into a mess and Tomori has to make a good block, then Locatelli’s shot is saved low by Ramsdale. The referee whistles and we are all squared at the break. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:31 1654975828
42 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Last minutes of the half now. Scamacca fires an off-target and then Pessina hits one in the deflected goal – and Ramsdale has to roll over the crossbar. Ward-Prowse just manages to reach the ball first. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:30 1654975570
38 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Grealish and Mount combine again on the left channel and the latter turns one on goal, but Donnarumma makes a routine stop. Italy have not really been able to pick up the pace or improve their build-up game in the last 10 minutes or so. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:26 1654975351
34 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Something like calm in action as we walk towards the last 10 minutes of the half. England probably did it in the volume of chances, but Tonali had this great opportunity for Italy as well. Abraham holds the ball well sometimes, but England can still not create a real chance at the end. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:22 1654974901
30 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Grealish really should have done better as a well-crafted move to the right leads to the low crossing of Reece James. The Manchester City striker is simply pushing the goal with his outside boot, when he might be able to shoot with his left foot or catch a touch first – then he hits a tackle, slowly and awkwardly, and is penalized. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:15 1654974777
27 ‘- England 0-0 Italy
Half an hour is approaching now. Great rebound from Ramsdale as he passes across the goal to deny Tonali on the far post, saving with the shoe stretched as the midfielder ran to the crossbar. Locatelli then gets a yellow card for going through the back of Mount in the center of the park. First booking of the night. Karl Matchett11 June 2022 20:12
