PLAYER RATINGS: Jude Bellingham was England’s game changer while Man United star Marcus Rashford and captain Harry Kane thrilled in attack… but Kalvin Phillips was lucky not to see red in the Three Lions 3-1 win over Italy
- Re-live all the action from Wembley as England inflict a 3-1 defeat over Italy
- England secured their qualification for next summer’s European Championship
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
England booked their places at Euro 2024 next summer after a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley.
Having conceded an early goal to former West Ham star Gianluca Scamacca, the Three Lions responded with three goals to earn revenge for the Italians’ last trip to Wembley two years ago.
Harry Kane struck from the spot before the break, before Marcus Rashford’s fine strike from out side the box made it two on 57 minutes after an assist from Jude Bellingham.
Just 20 minutes later Kane got his second of the night and 61st in England colours to complete the comeback and ensure that they would be part of the finals in Germany next year.
Here, Rob Draper takes you through who thrilled on the night and who had an evening to forget under the arch at Wembley.
Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring at Wembley from inside the England box on 15 minutes
Harry Kane quickly restored parity from the spot before netting his second of the game in the second half
Marcus Rashford scored England’s second of the night with a fine strike from outside the box
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England (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford 7.5
Couldn’t do anything about the goal but his save from Destiny Udogie just before half time was first class.
Kyle Walker 7
Aggressive performance but plenty to deal with down Italy’s left. That said, strong as ever.
John Stones 7
Got wrong footed for Udogie shot but otherwise polished as normal. Confident.
Harry Maguire 7
Back to the steady performance England fans recall.
Kieran Trippier 6
Di Lorenzo a constant thorn in his side. Very good going forward but struggled without support.
Jordan Pickford had little to do but was still first class, while Kalvin Phillips endured a trying night
Harry Maguire put in a steady performance at the back that harkened back to his best days in an England shirt
Kalvin Phillips 5
The gaps in England midfield seemed wide and early yellow made it hard – struggled to impose himself and lucky to avoid red for what seemed like a stamp.
Declan Rice 5.5
Not his usual commanding performance as England struggled with Italy’s quick breaks.
Phil Foden 7
Striding away he was brought down by Udogie early on and always a threat and got the crucial nicked pass to see Bellingham off to assist the second.
Jude Bellingham 9
Elegant stride into the penalty area to coax the challenge and win the penalty. Then that same beautiful gait to stride away and assist Rashford for second. England’s game changer.
Jude Bellingham was the best player on the pitch as he ran the show for the home side
Marcus Rashford 8
Super goal running onto Bellingham’s ball and across Italian lines – a finish of confidence. Really grew into his performance.
Harry Kane 7
Vintage Kane penalty, unstoppable and a frenetic whir of pressing energy thereafter, exploiting Italy’s errors for the third.
Gareth Southgate 7
This was Gareth without the handbrake – sometimes too much so. But it was ultimately worth the risk.
Subs:
Stones for Guéhi 6.5 63
Phillips for Henderson 6 70
Bellingham for Grealish 85
Rashford grew into his performance on Tuesday night and Kane was a frenetic whir of energy in attack
Italy (5-3-2)
Gianluigi Donnarumma 7
Beaten for the penalty but otherwise solid as expected, a class act.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 5.5
Conceded the penalty by diving in and all at sea for second– but a constant threat to Trippier down the right and set up the opener.
Giorgio Scalvini 5
Steady but massively at fault losing out to Kane for third.
Francesco Acerbi 5
Played a crucial role at centre of back five holding England but flummoxed by Rashford’s run for the second.
Destiny Udogie 6.5
A super prospect, always a threat coming inside to force Pickford save. But at fault for second goal.
Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie was at fault for the second goal but was always a threat in attack
Stephan El Shaaraway 7
Switched from wing back to left wing as Italy alternated between a back three and four giving Kyle Walker plenty to think about.
Domenico Berardi 6
Worked hard, tried to chase England down had some joy at times but faded as game went on.
Bryan Cristante 5.5
Started well but as England grew in confidence in second half was left chasing the ball.
Nicolo Barella 6
Energetic and disciplined but ultimately found it hard to impose himself.
Nicolo Barella was energetic and disciplined in midfield but struggled to impose himself
Davide Frattessi 6
Most notable moments was the huge miskick from Di Lorenzo cross which fooled Pickford and allowed Sacmacca to score – definitely unintended.
Gianluca Scamacca 7
Super finish and a close strike minutes later – the performance West Ham fans had waited for.
Luciano Spalletti 7
Clever switching between back fours and five kept England at bay for periods and gave them a lot to think about
Luciano Spalletti showed great elasticity switching between a back three and a back four
Subs:
Acerbi for Bastoni 63, Udogie for DiMarco 63 6, Berardi for Raspadori 78 6, Scamacca for Kean 63 6, El Shaarawy for Orsolini 87.
Ref Clement Turpin 6.5
Missed the Phillips stamp that would surely have been red but otherwise called the big moment
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