Despite missing several key players, Italy earned a convincing victory against England to keep their hopes to win Group 3 alive. The game was very balanced with both sides struggling to create opportunities to score but Raspadori’s wonderful strike gave the Azzurri the three points, a defeat which means bottom place in the section for England. After failing to qualify for the World Cup, the European champions can look to the future with more optimism.
Bellingham and Rice tried their luck during a desperate final few minutes for the Three Lions, who will now finish bottom of the group. Italy’s win through that marvellous Raspadori winner means they will visit Hungary on Matchday 6 knowing that victory will earn them a place in the finals ahead of their opponents!
In 68 minutes of the match Italy take the lead! It’s a super strike from Giacomo Raspadori, turning with menace inside the penalty area on the left and curling a shot into the far corner after being afforded space by Walker. Relegation looms large for England.
England have gone 5 games without a win for the first time in 8 years and are relegated from League A.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini said , “We defeated England, which is one of the strongest national teams in the world. The game system does not matter. What matters is the personality that a team has, the desire to attack and stay high – and we were very good in this sense. The victory was deserved.”
England coach: Gareth Southgate said,“It’s difficult to be too critical of the performance as we had more possession, more shots, more shots on target. I personally thought the performance was a step in the right direction but I completely understand that because of the result, that won’t be the reaction externally.”
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