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Italy vs England player ratings: Maguire mishap, Shaw's mad minute

Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Getty Images/DeFodi
Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Getty Images/DeFodi

England held on for a first win on Italian soil since 1961 to take a significant step towards next summer's European Championships in Germany.

First-half goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane - which saw Kane break the England goalscoring record - put Gareth Southgate's team in a commanding position.

The second 45 minutes were more ragged as Italy responded through Mateo Retegui, but England held on despite Luke Shaw's red card for two bookings.

Mike McGrath ran the rule over both teams.

England (4-3-3)

Jordan Pickford

Came into this match in good form and with his Everton contract situation sorted after putting pen to paper on a new deal. Kicked well, anticipated through balls from midfield and cleared danger rushing out. 6/10

Kyle Walker

Pace was important to get England out of trouble when they were faced with attacks in the second half. Allowed Bukayo Saka to run forward and tucked inside often to support attacks but his work was mainly defensive. 7/10

John Stones

Excellent interceptions early on to block off Italian attacks before they got into the dangerous areas. When they eventually got through he produced a block to deny Mateo Retegui. Put body on the line with second-half blocks. 8/10

Harry Maguire

May not be an automatic starter for Manchester United but had fans singing his name. Looks confident on the ball and carries the ball out of defence but out of position for Retegui’s goal. 6/10

Harry Maguire facing Italy - Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Shutterstock/Ciro Fusco
Harry Maguire facing Italy - Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Shutterstock/Ciro Fusco

Luke Shaw

Got through some good work on the left flank, moving forwards at the right time and putting in good crosses that turned around the Italian defence but two quick bookings for a foul and time-wasting. 5/10

Kalvin Phillips

Took a few passes to get back into his stride on just the third start of his injury hit season. His tackle on Acerbi started an attack and his positioning was good when England were faced with intense pressure. 7/10

Jude Bellingham

From his first touch he was positive whenever he received possession, with Italians resorting to fouls. Shot tipped over led to first goal and he had energy high up the pitch to win the ball back. Youngest player on pitch but big impact. 8/10 (Man of the Match)

Declan Rice

Perfect to response to criticism from Graeme Souness that he can only defend. His 13th-minute goal was an instinctive penalty-box finish when the ball broke, but he also carried the ball forward. Targeted for Italians who could have got him sent off. 8/10

Bukayo Saka

His inswinging delivery from corners led to the first half goals. He was also direct with his running into the penalty area, which he showed for England’s first attack which led to his shot being saved. 7/10

Harry Kane

England’s greatest goalscorer had no hesitation taking his penalty after missing his spot-kick in his last game when England suffered World Cup heartbreak. But so much more to his game with hold-up play and creating chances for himself and others. 8/10

Harry Kane celebrates scoring his penalty - Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - LaPresse/Alessandro Garofalo
Harry Kane celebrates scoring his penalty - Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - LaPresse/Alessandro Garofalo

Jack Grealish

Lovely touches which had end-product too as he brought others into the game then also got into the box for a chance in front of goal that he should have finished. But justified his selection ahead of Phil Foden. 6/10

Italy (4-3-3)

Gianluigi Donnarumma

No chance with the opening goal but went early for the Kane penalty, which made up the mind of the England captain which way to shoot. 5/10

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Napoli full-back on his home ground, was guilty of the handball that led to the Kane spot-kick and had a busy evening with Shaw and Grealish running at him. 5/10

Rafael Tolói

Struggled to cope with being given no time in possession, which was summed up with his foul on Bellingham in the first half. 5/10

Francesco Acerbi

With captain Leonardo Bonucci out injured he was the oldest centre-back at 35, set piece threat but could not hold back England’s attackers. 5/10

Leonardo Spinazzola

Blocked Kane’s shot for the opening goal which fell for Rice. Much of his work was defensive and he also tried to support attacks when he could. 6/10

Marco Verratti

Could not gain the control of the game that he wanted in the first half, but came into it after the break and led Italy’s attacks. 6/10

Jorginho

Lost the ball in a dangerous area for Phillips’ shot on goal and like his team-mates was not given time to run the game as he can. 5/10

England's Jude Bellingham in action with Italy's Jorginho - Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Reuters/Ciro De Luca
England's Jude Bellingham in action with Italy's Jorginho - Italy vs England player ratings: Jude Bellingham imperious but Harry Maguire caught out - Reuters/Ciro De Luca

Nicolò Barella

Was positive with his running and got himself into good areas without getting shots away but was at least trying to drive his team forward. 6/10

Domenico Berardi

Taken off after an hour as he struggled to break through England’s defence and they wanted a change of look to their attack. 5/10

Mateo Retegui

Making his Italy debut, having played for the Argentina Under-20s, the Boca Juniors striker had a shot blocked before finishing well in the second half. 7/10

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Lovely pass for Retegui’s goal. Shot wide in the second half when Italy came out and looked to attack, good battle against Walker. 6/10