In the reissue of the last final of eurocup, England took revenge on Italy and won this Thursday’s duel by 2-1, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, in Naples. This time, the match was valid for the first round of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, which will be played in Germany.
The English counted on a penalty goal by star Harry Kane, who surpassed Wayne Rooney and became the highest scorer in the history of the national team, with 54 balls in the net. So England, making their first post-World Cup appearance in Qatar, took the top spot in Group C by three points. Italy is the flashlight of the key.
The Azzurra left behind on the scoreboard and even managed to reduce with the newcomer Retegui, an Argentine naturalized thanks to his Italian grandfather. Still, it wasn’t enough to reach the tie. It should be noted that the two best placed in each group gain direct vacancy for the continental tournament – the other positions dispute the repechage.
Italy will seek rehabilitation next Sunday, when it visits Malta, at 3:45 pm (BrasÃlia time). On the other side, England face Ukraine on the same date, but at 1 pm, at Wembley.
How was the game?
The first arrival of danger was from England, in the 11th minute. Midfielder Bellingham advanced with the ball down the right and sent a straw, but Donnarumma spread it with the tips of his fingers to the bottom line.
In the corner, taken at 12, Kane was left with plenty inside the area and kicked for the goal. The ball hit the Italian defense and stopped at the feet of Declan Rice, who completed the first in the left corner: 1 to 0.
Kalvin Phillips almost doubled the score at 31 minutes. The player disarmed Jorginho in the middle and finished close to Donnarumma’s right post. At 38, debutant Retegui scared the visitors for the first time. He was launched on the counterattack, but took a while to hit and was stopped by the defense. On the rebound, Spinazzola sent it out.
After a corner, in the 40th minute, Kane tried to adjust with his chest and saw the ball hit Di Lorenzo’s arm. The referee was then called to analyze the VAR bid and confirmed the infraction. In the penalty kick, Kane himself displaced Donnarumma and puffed up the net.
The English still wasted an incredible chance to score the third, in the first half. On a move from the right, Kane was triggered inside the area and crossed for Grealish. The number 11 shirt, unmarked and with an empty goal, carelessly hit and sent it out.
Italy came back better from the break and jeopardized Pickford’s goal after just five minutes. After a good plot, Pellegrini received the left skin and kicked hard, left-handed, but outside. At 10, Pellegrini gave the perfect pass to Retegui, inside the area, who just touched Pickford’s exit and cashed for the hosts.
At 31 minutes, Gnonto made a good move on the left and crossed for Politano, who was unable to complete the goal. Shaw was expelled shortly afterwards for waxing a throw-in. With one more, Italy scared again with Gnonto, who crossed with danger in the area and saw Pickford move away.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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