Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeSportsHarry Kane makes history as England earn narrow victory against Italy

Harry Kane makes history as England earn narrow victory against Italy

Italy hosted England at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples on Thursday evening as both sides looked to open their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a victory.

England were seeking revenge after the Euro 2020 final at Wembley where Italy won on penalties.

The opening few minutes saw Italy employing an intense press which forced England into making a series of unforced errors.

Italy’s early dominance was short-lived, however, as Declan Rice converted for England in the 13th minute. The holding midfielder buried England’s opener from a close range shot after Harry Kane’s effort was well blocked by the Italian defence.

Since taking the lead, England enjoyed full control of the game. Jude Bellingham was given the freedom to dominate the centre of the pitch and enabled the English side to set up some scintillating moves.

Harry Kane enters the record books
Moments before the half time whistle, England appealed for a penalty after Kane peeled off the back of Italian defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo who blocked it, seemingly with his hand.

The incident was reviewed by VAR officials and, after a trip to the pitch side monitor, the referee awarded a penalty and the chance for England to increase their lead.

Harry Kane stepped up to the spot and batted off any nerves he may have been feeling following his penalty miss in Qatar a few months prior, taking England into the break at 2-0.

The Tottenham striker makes history, becoming England’s top goal scorer with 54 goals.

Some 10 minutes after the interval, in a period of Italian pressure, Mateo Retegui opened his account for the hosts.

Nicolo Barella is fouled by Harry Maguire and the referee allows play to go on. It comes through to the debutant Mateo Retegui and he beats Jordan Pickford with a shot across goal from close range. 2-1.

After conceding, England seemed to fall flat, inviting waves of attack from the Italians who lacked the final pass to punish an English side lacking any coherency.

In the dying embers of the game, Luke Shaw received a red card after accumulating two yellow cards. He was sent to the dressing rooms after a crunching tackle.

Despite the Italian’s best efforts, England managed to see out the game and secured the 2-1 victory.

England opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with the three points on a night where Harry Kane made history for his country.

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