Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Harry Kane makes history as 10-man England edge past Italy

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 March 2023, 21:40
Harry Kane officially became the greatest goalscorer England have ever seen as the Three Lions survived a late red card to eke out a 2-1 win over reigning champions Italy in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying Group C battle.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker surpassed Wayne Rooney with a 54th strike to put Gareth Southgate's side 2-0 up after Declan Rice had drawn first blood, but the Azzurri threatened a late comeback after Mateo Retegui pulled one back.

Luke Shaw was sent for an early bath with 10 minutes to go, but Italy's valiant second-half efforts were ultimately in vain as England claimed a first win on Italian soil since 1961.

While England struggled to settle during a chaotic start, Italy's relentless pressing did not translate into any meaningful chances, and Gianluigi Donnarumma was the busier of the two goalkeepers early doors.

Bukayo Saka had the first sight of goal with eight minutes gone, but the Arsenal starlet could not get a decent connection on the ball under pressure, before Jude Bellingham's powerful drive four minutes later was tipped over by Donnarumma.

From the resulting corner, though, Saka's deep delivery to the back stick fell for Kane, whose shot was blocked before Rice found himself in the right place at the right time to crash home the rebound.

With their tails up, England thoroughly dominated the midfield battle as Bellingham and Rice ran a beleaguered Italy into the ground, potentially adding a few more pounds to their value in the process ahead of expected battles for their signatures in the summer.

Wanting his own slice of the action, Kalvin Phillips fired just wide of the post in the 32nd minute as Italy struggled to get a grip on proceedings, and another Saka corner to the back post was the catalyst for England's insurance goal in the 44th minute.

Before Kane could make the most of Saka's set-piece, the ball struck the outstretched arm of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, but referee Srdjan Jovanovic initially waved away the Three Lions' vociferous protests.

However, a spot kick was awarded following a quick look at the pitchside monitor, allowing Kane to send Donnarumma the wrong way for his record-breaking 54th goal in England colours.

The Tottenham Hotspur man let emotion take over as he basked in adulation, but disbelief was the main emotion for England in the 45th minute, as Jack Grealish missed a sitter at the back post just before the half-time whistle blew.

Galvanised by that late reprieve, Italy came out a different beast at the start of the second half and reduced the deficit in the 56th minute through Retegui's own landmark goal.

Referee Jovanovic played a smart advantage after Nicolo Barella felt the full force of a stamp to the foot from Maguire, as Lorenzo Pellegrini fed Retegui to fire into the far corner for a debut Azzurri goal.

Very rarely sauntering out of their own half in the second 45, England were firmly under the cosh as the game approached its dying embers, and Jovanovic took no prisoners when it came to time-wasting, booking Kyle Walker and Shaw for delay tactics in quick succession.

Only a couple of minutes after being booked for taking too much time on a throw-in, Shaw was given his marching orders for a second yellow card offence, bringing Retegui down to see red after 80 minutes.

England's 10 men were also seeing red - infuriated that Italy did not put the ball out with Maguire down just before Shaw's inexcusable tackle - and Bellingham limping off the field in the 85th minute was hardly a sight for sore eyes either.

However, Southgate's side survived five minutes of added time to see out a hard-fought success ahead of Sunday's meeting with Ukraine at Wembley, while Roberto Mancini's crop travel to Malta this weekend.

Top News

31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Phil Foden is in contention to start for Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign with a trip to Girona on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is expected to return to Manchester City's starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool expert David Lynch can envisage a captivating battle brewing between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota for the right to lead the Reds' line when the latter returns from an abdominal injury. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested that four key players could be absent from Saturday's meeting with West Ham United. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has virtually confirmed that he will announce his departure from the club imminently, amid reports that Manchester United have agreed to make him their new manager. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Osasuna will be bidding to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.