Italy vs England LIVE!

Harry Kane became England's record international goalscorer as his side began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating reigning champions Italy 2-1 in Group C.

England's skipper struck a penalty past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma shortly before half-time to make it 2-0 after Declan Rice opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Debutant Mateo Retegui halved the deficit in the 56th minute as the hosts responded but England held on to claim their first victory over Italy on Italian soil for 62 years despite having Luke Shaw sent off for receiving two yellow cards.

Italy vs England | Euro 2024 Qualifier | Thursday 23rd March 2023

It proved to be the perfect response by England after the heartache of losing to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in December when Kane missed a crucial penalty.

Italy vs England updates

• GOAL! Rice smashes England in front

• GOAL! Kane breaks record with penalty

• GOAL! Retegui gets Azzurri back in it

• RED CARD! Shaw sent off as Three Lions cling on

Thanks for joining us!

22:26 , Marc Mayo

A big three points for England, who are back in action on Sunday with Ukraine in town for the next match of Euro 2024 qualification.

Recap the action against Italy with our match report!

Italy vs England analysis

22:20 , Marc Mayo

Dan has delivered his verdict from Naples on a crucial night for the Three Lions.

Read the full story!

Harry Kane reveals Wayne Rooney predicted all this

22:10 , Marc Mayo

Wayne Rooney told Harry Kane he would break his England goal record as soon as he claimed the honour back in 2015.

The Spurs striker was first to celebrate with Rooney after he notched against Switzerland eight years ago and has spoken of his pride in now becoming the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer.

Read the full story!

Player ratings

22:06 , Marc Mayo

A complete performance from Harry Kane earns tonight’s England captain a big score in Nizaar’s ratings.

Read the full story!

Around the grounds in tonight’s qualifiers

21:56 , Marc Mayo

Wayne Rooney sends his love to Harry Kane

21:51 , Marc Mayo

Highlights: Harry Kane’s record-breaking moment

21:49 , Marc Mayo

Harry Kane on Channel 4

21:47 , Marc Mayo

“It means everything, so excited to pick the England shirt back on and it had to be a penalty of course!

“So much emotion, a huge thanks to all the playes, staff, fans and my family. It’s a magical moment.

“I picked my spot and put it away so just a great night, we haven’t won in Italy for so long. It’s special.

“The World Cup was a difficult way to end but we feel like we’re one of the best teams in Europe and we have to keep knocking at the door. This results shows we’re ready for the next challenge.”

FULL TIME! Italy 1-2 England

21:40 , Marc Mayo

90+6 mins: ENGLAND WIN!

21:40 , Marc Mayo

90+5 mins: Italy on the front foot but there’s no way through for a killer ball before Politano’s hopeful lob is headed away.

21:39 , Marc Mayo

90+4 mins: Tonali swings a ball in from deep and Di Lorenzo tumbles in a clash with Trippier.

The home fans want a penalty but the referee says no! And he’s right to.

21:37 , Marc Mayo

90+2 mins: Kane wins a foul off Acerbi and that’s a booking for the defender.

21:36 , Marc Mayo

90 mins: Five minutes added on for the ten men!

21:35 , Marc Mayo

89 mins: All hands to the pump for England now, very little intent of breaking out on the counter as Italy look to find an equaliser.

21:33 , Marc Mayo

88 mins: A corner for the Azzurri and Scamacca enters the fray for Verratti to provide some further firepower.

21:32 , Marc Mayo

86 mins: Good voice from the corner of away supporters as England enjoy a spell up by Italy’s corner flag.

21:29 , Marc Mayo

84 mins: Gnonto whips in a delightful cross from the left that Pickford sees away from goal.

Italy are not going anywhere though as Verratti beats a challenge but fails to create a new opening.

Southgate turns to his bench, James and Gallagher on for Saka and Bellingham.

21:26 , Marc Mayo

81 mins: Foden, on only minutes ago (when Shaw had no bookings), is taken off for Trippier.

Red card!

21:25 , Marc Mayo

80 mins: And now the second booking is produced for Shaw!

After some delay... he’s off!

21:24 , Marc Mayo

79 mins: It’s all getting heated as Italy escape a muted penalty appeal before breaking as Maguire remains on the deck with an injury.

Shaw then commits a foul and the tension spills over - but no second yellow for the England defender.

21:23 , Marc Mayo

77 mins: Gnonto bounces a difficult ball into the six-yard box and Shaw just holds off Politano as the deflected cross evades everyone.

And now Shaw is booked for timewasting!

21:21 , Marc Mayo

75 mins: Italy come back with a dose of pressure and Tonali shimmies nicely before driving a left-footed shot into a defender.

Saka wins a foul to end that move.

21:19 , Marc Mayo

73 mins: A couple of moments of very neat hold-up play from Kane help England calm the atmosphere bubbling away in Naples.

It’s been a very decent all-round display from the Three Lions’ new record goalscorer.

21:16 , Marc Mayo

71 mins: Walker booked for timewasting, allegedly.

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

21:16 , Marc Mayo

From controlling the midfield in the first half, England are suddenly struggling to get a foot on the ball in central areas.

It’s Italy who are running the game now and the visitors are yet to really find a response.

21:14 , Marc Mayo

68 mins: Foden on for Grealish to end a rough night for the Man City winger, who should have scored in first-half stoppage time.

Two more subs for Italy as Jorginho and Pellegrini are swapped for Gnonto and Tonali.

21:10 , Marc Mayo

65 mins: Pellegrini and Retegui attempt to recreate the Italy goal down with another swift one-two in Maguire’s area, but England stand firm.

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

21:08 , Marc Mayo

After one of the best 45 minutes of Gareth Southgate’s tenure, England started the second half shakily and have been punished by a lovely Italy goal.

Italy have their tails up now and the visitors will need to stay calm and disciplined.

21:07 , Marc Mayo

61 mins: Verratti grabs a loose ball 20 yards out and dummies to send Rice for a gelato, before firing into the crowd.

Kane felled by Jorginho for a foul, the Italian booked.

Italy bring Barella and Berardi off as Cristante and Napoli’s own winger Politano enter the action.

21:05 , Marc Mayo

59 mins: A big test for England now, punished for a lapse in concentration and an individual error.

There has not been much to go on, in terms of attack, for the Three Lions this half. They may well need a third.

21:03 , Marc Mayo

57 mins: Maguire booked for that challenge, which left his defence exposed as Retegui broke into the spot he was meant to be defending.

Game on...

GGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Italy 1-2 England

21:01 , Marc Mayo

56 mins: RETEGUI!

Maguire cleans out Barrella but play continues with an advantage and the debutant striker finds the space to bury his shot!

20:58 , Marc Mayo

53 mins: Rice goes in with a high foot that leaves both Maguire and Barrella on the ground.

He didn’t really catch the Italian but that doesn’t stop the Azzurri demanding a second booking for the midfielder. In fact, only Di Lorenzo is shown a card for over-eager protests!

Italy chance!

20:56 , Marc Mayo

51 mins: Good pick out by Verratti to find Pellegrini on the left channel of the box, and the Roma man slashes the ball towards the near post. Off target.

20:54 , Marc Mayo

48 mins: Kane chests a ball in back out of play and goes down hurt, but not too hurt to crawl back onto the pitch and shut down the restart.

Italy getting wound up by some English antics here, fancy that.

20:52 , Marc Mayo

47 mins: Italy win an early corner, swung in from the left and Pickford stretches to palm it away!

No home player lurking at the back post to nod it home, though...

Kick-off!

20:50 , Marc Mayo

Back underway in Naples with the Three Lions two goals to the good.

No changes for either side.

Here come the players

20:49 , Marc Mayo

Second-half coming up in Italy vs England!

Harry Kane: Record breaker

20:47 , Marc Mayo

First-half highlights: Harry Kane breaks the record

20:46 , Marc Mayo

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

20:42 , Marc Mayo

There is obviously something fitting about Kane breaking the record from the penalty spot after his miss in Qatar.

The England captain has now become top scorer for club and country in the space of seven weeks.

England are halfway to a statement win and performance here.

First-half highlights: Rice puts England ahead

20:37 , Marc Mayo

Half time! Italy 0-2 England

20:34 , Marc Mayo

The Three Lions are cruising towards victory to open their Euro 2024 qualification account.

Declan Rice and Harry Kane on the scoresheet at the break!

England chance!

20:31 , Marc Mayo

45+1 mins: GREALISH HAS TO SCORE!

Kane wanders down the right and rolls it to the winger at the far post, and he cuts a volley across the face of goal and wide.

20:31 , Marc Mayo

45 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time for the Three Lions to see out a brilliant first half in Naples.

GGGOOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!!! Italy 0-2 England

20:29 , Marc Mayo

44 mins: For the second time, Kane has the chance to break England’s all-time scoring record from the penalty spot...

HARRY KANE BREAKS THE RECORD!

PENALTY ENGLAND!

20:28 , Marc Mayo

43 mins: The referee points to the spot!

20:27 , Marc Mayo

42 mins: To the monitor!

Di Lorenzo clearly handles it as Kane backs off, this should only be going one way.

20:26 , Marc Mayo

41 mins: Big penalty appeal from Kane as he heads a deep corner back across goal - just how England created the opener.

VAR has a look before we restart...

20:25 , Marc Mayo

39 mins: Grealish denied a foul as Italy break and Stones blocks Retegui’s effort.

Back tracks Saka to disrupt Spinazzola’s effort, winning a goal kick in the process.

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

20:22 , Marc Mayo

Italy’s midfield is the same three who started the Euro final but England are making them look ordinary tonight.

Rice, Phillips and particularly Bellingham are overpowering the hosts and helping Southgate’s side to run this game impressively.

20:20 , Marc Mayo

34 mins: All rather comfortable for the Three Lions as Italy’s support raise the volume to try and get them back into it.

Saka combines with Kane on the right but he’s crowded out - and England recollect the ball anway.

20:17 , Marc Mayo

31 mins: It was billed as a 4-3-3 for England but Bellingham is very much the advanced midfielder ahead of Phillips and Rice.

The visitors press high and it’s Phillips stealing in before having a go from 20 yards out... only just wide!

20:14 , Marc Mayo

29 mins: Now Rice is booked for walking towards a free-kick and then turning away, in an apparent spot of timewasting.

20:13 , Marc Mayo

27 mins: A superb tackle from Rice shuts down Barrella’s shooting opportunity from the D - Italy’s first proper foray forward for some time.

Grealish wins a free-kick to kill the Azzurri’s momentum.

20:12 , Marc Mayo

26 mins: A bit more gamesmanship lands Maguire in trouble with the referee as he lingers over a free-kick in his own half.

You wouldn’t catch Italy deploying such tactics, of course...

20:09 , Marc Mayo

23 mins: Italy unhappy as the ball bounces into the England dugout and fails to emerge promptly.

The referee, Srdjan Jovanovic, jogs over to have a word with Kieran Trippier.

20:06 , Marc Mayo

21 mins: England attacking with ease here and Kane strolls down the right to power a cross low and into the six-yard box... Bellingham is just behind it!

Italy escape.

20:05 , Marc Mayo

20 mins: Saka wants a handball as his flick into the box is blocked after Bellingham shrugged off a challenge to play the Arsenal man in.

Nothing doing, though.

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

20:03 , Marc Mayo

Declan Rice claimed last night that criticism of his game from Graeme Souness was “unfair” and he has offered the perfect response there with his third England goal.

Italy paid the price for leaving Harry Kane free in the box and Rice pounced on the loose ball.

20:02 , Marc Mayo

18 mins: Good work from Shaw down the left beats his man to fizz a ball in... Donnarumma claims as Saka lurks.

20:01 , Marc Mayo

16 mins: ‘All the way... Going to Berlin, all the way’ ringing out from the away end as England settle on the ball after that goal.

It has truly drained the home support!

GGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Italy 0-1 England

19:58 , Marc Mayo

14 mins: RICE SMASHES ENGLAND AHEAD!

The corner drops to Kane at the far post and his shot is deflected into the malestrom, where Rice fires home for his third Three Lions goal!

19:58 , Marc Mayo

13 mins: SAVE!

England pull off a swift counter-attack from their own corner flag through Kane, Grealish and then Bellingham - who has a whack from the edge of the box and Donnarumma tips it over.

19:56 , Marc Mayo

11 mins: A fairly soft free-kick goes Italy’s way from England’s first corner for Grealish backing into Donnarumma.

Dan Kilpatrick in Naples

19:54 , Marc Mayo

It’s definitely not a sell-out in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, reflecting the traditionally uneasy relationship between the Neapolitans and the national team.

But the fans of both sides who are here are creating a fine atmosphere, despite their distance from the pitch. It is Italy who have started with more intensity.

England chance!

19:54 , Marc Mayo

8 mins: Saka bustles through a crowd to get into the box and fire off a shot easily held by Donnarumma.

Good work from Bellingham to forge that opening, nice and direct from the visitors.

19:51 , Marc Mayo

6 mins: Retegui flicks the corner on at the near post and it drifts out for a goal kick.

Not a great start for England, this.

19:50 , Marc Mayo

5 mins: England struggling to get out their half as Phillips loses out to Verratti, which forces Kane to track back and throw in a good tackle.

Saka then surrenders possession and the Azzurri have a corner...

19:49 , Marc Mayo

3 mins: Bellingham pulled up for leaving an elbow on Barella but it looked like a pretty robust, and legal, tussle for the ball.

A first chance to swing it into the box as Pellegrini finds Di Lorenzo unmarked from 18 yards out and his volley is scuffed wide!

19:46 , Marc Mayo

1 mins: A first touch for Retegui is mopped up nicely by Stones as Italy look to settle on the ball.

Kick-off! Italy vs England

19:45 , Marc Mayo

Here we go! Qualification for Euro 2024 has begun...

Time for the national anthems

19:42 , Marc Mayo

A few stop-starts to the anthem for England, and a few whistles in the background, but no drama as the away fans flex their vocal cords.

Then it’s time for Italy... which is done like a pretty odd pop song.

Here come the players!

19:40 , Marc Mayo

Harry Kane leads the Three Lions out onto the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona pitch.

Italy vs England throwback: Some great memories for the Azzurri

19:39 , Marc Mayo

Gareth Southgate on Channel 4

19:37 , Marc Mayo

“It’s one of the hardest games in world football, we haven’t got a great record here and tonight’s an opportunity to put that right.

“[Jordan] Henderson has not been able to train fully over the last week, we’re keeping him back a little bit.

“Kalvin is a super player, at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team. That’s not been ideal for his rhythm.”

Italy vs England: Countdown to kick-off

19:35 , Marc Mayo

The light show has begun in Naples with the line-ups announced on the running track around the pitch with the floodlights switched off.

Our man Dan Kilpatrick is at the scene and here is his video preview of Italy vs England.

Issues for the Azzurri

19:32 , Marc Mayo

Roberto Mancini has spoken of his decreasing options to pick from for the Italy team and, ahead of tonight’s match, Malik delivers his analysis of where the Azzurri are at.

Read the full story!

Captain fantastic

19:30 , Marc Mayo

Harry Kane takes the England armband tonight in his bid to become the country’s record goalscorer.

Currently level with Wayne Rooney on 53 goals, this would be a pretty decent stage to claim the honour.

Who is Matego Retegui?

19:26 , Marc Mayo

It’s the question many Italy fans have been asking of late with the 23-year-old striker Mateo Retegui leading the Azzurri line tonight.

With six goals in eight games for Tigre in the Argentine Primera Division, he is certainly in form even if he is out on loan from Boca Juniors.

Roberto Mancini likened Retegui to Gabriel Bastituta ahead of picking him to start - a theory that will be put to the test!

Italy vs England: Countdown to kick-off

19:22 , Marc Mayo

A mild night in Naples as the atmosphere begins to ramp up with the players out for the pre-match warm-ups.

Declan Rice targets ‘statement’ win

19:16 , Marc Mayo

England expect to face a tough reception in Naples tonight, not least as its the home of late nemesis Diego Maradona.

But Declan Rice wants the Three Lions to embrace the difficulty of the game and show the continent what they’re made of by grabbing the win.

He said: “The record in Italy hasn’t been good and since the Euros this will be the fourth time we have played them, and we haven’t won yet.

“I think tonight is a really big statement if we can go out there and put on a performance and win — it will be a great marker of where we are at and it will also set us off in good stead for this campaign.

“We’re in a hostile city, a hostile stadium and we’re ready to go out there. It’s going to be tough, but after the World Cup we genuinely believe we can beat anyone.”

Italy vs England: Countdown to kick-off

19:12 , Marc Mayo

The warm-ups are beginning in Naples with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma all out for the goalkeepers’ shakedown.

Kick-off in just 30 minutes!

Italy vs England throwback: Paul Scholes and Ian Wright combine for 1997 La Tournoi triumph

19:06 , Marc Mayo

The state of the nation

19:00 , Marc Mayo

It’s been 103 days since England were last in action as Harry Kane’s World Cup penalty miss meant heartbreak against France.

Ahead of tonight’s game, Dan delivers his analysis on where the Three Lions are at under Gareth Southgate.

Read the full story!

Italy vs England: Countdown to kick-off

18:55 , Marc Mayo

Under an hour until we get underway in Naples with England’s players pictured not long ago heading out for a look at the pitch.

A debut for Mateo Regetui

18:51 , Marc Mayo

He may be on loan at the club sat 21st in Argentina’s top flight but Mateo Regetui has been entrusted with leading the line for Italy tonight.

In truth, there are not many options at Roberto Mancini’s disposal with Gianluca Scamacca bang out of form for West Ham and Simone Pafundi even more untested at 17 years of age.

Italy go with a 4-3-3 just like England, featuring Arsenal’s Jorginho at the base of the midfield.

How Italy line up tonight

18:43 , Marc Mayo

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.

Kalvin Phillips gets the nod for England

18:38 , Marc Mayo

Gareth Southgate has gone with a 4-3-3 formation for tonight’s game, featuring Kalvin Phillips in midfield.

The Manchester City man has beaten Jordan Henderson to a starting berth with Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw picked in the full-back positions ahead of Chelsea duo Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Jack Grealish gets the nod on the left side of the attack, ahead of Phil Foden.

How England line up

18:34 , Marc Mayo

England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Grealish.

Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Maddison, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Forster, Toney.

Phil Foden sings Bukayo Saka’s praises

18:32 , Marc Mayo

After missing the penalty that handed Italy the Euro 2020 title, Bukayo Saka could not be blamed for seeing tonight as a massive match.

Phil Foden has praised the way the Arsenal star has bounced back from that heartbreak to lead the Gunners’ Premier League title charge - while on spot-kick duties.

“Definitely, I learn from him,” said Foden of Saka.

“From him missing that penalty, he's turned it around with his performances on the pitch for club and country. He's such a nice lad and everyone loves him. He's a big part of what we do here.

“It shows what a person he is. He’s such a young lad, he’s still developing and still learning about the game.”

Special tribute from Italy

18:28 , Marc Mayo

The Azzurri will take to the pitch tonight wearing a tribute to the late, great Gianluca Vialli on the inside of their collar.

Not many easy games in Group C

18:21 , Marc Mayo

The top two from this qualification group will qualify direct to Euro 2024 with the third-placed side left hoping to be among the best-placed finishers to earn a play-off spot.

Of course, Nations League finishes will also come into it.

But with Ukraine, Italy, North Macedonia and Malta for company in Group C, England know just how big a victory tonight would be.

Italy vs England: Head-to-head record

18:18 , Marc Mayo

England have not beaten the Azzurri in a competitive match since the 1997 Tournoi de France, with Ian Wright and Paul Scholes scoring the goals.

Italy wins: 13

Draws: 9

England wins: 8

Italy vs England: Countdown to kick-off

18:11 , Marc Mayo

We’re expecting team news anytime from now really, with both line-ups holding plenty of intrigue.

Kick-off coming up in just over 90 minutes’ time!

Tonight’s location

18:07 , Marc Mayo

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples will host Italy vs England.

Formerly known as the Stadio San Paolo until the Napoli legend Maradona’s death in 2020, it was built in 1959 and renovated twice since - for Italia 90 and as recently as 2018.

It holds 60,000 fans, 2,500 of which tonight will be backing the Three Lions.

Gareth Southgate opens door to longer England stay

18:00 , Marc Mayo

Under contract for another 18 months, Gareth Southgate has suggested he may not want to leave the England job after the Euros.

There was talk he could quit following the World Cup but he suggested in his pre-match press conference that nothing is off the table for himself or his players.

“Well that depends if we win!” he told reporters.

He added: “Let’s hope we’ve got that opportunity to make that decision.”

Italy vs England match odds

17:55 , Marc Mayo

Italy to win: 7/4

Draw: 11/5

England to win: 13/8

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Evening Standard score prediction

17:50 , Marc Mayo

It’s always difficult to judge where national teams are when linking up for the first time in months. Still, given Southgate’s generally pretty conservative approach as well as the hostile atmosphere in Naples, a draw would seem a good result away from home.

A 1-1 draw.

17:45 , Marc Mayo

Predicted England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Grealish.

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