England wrapped up qualification for Euro 2024 with two matches to spare as Harry Kane’s brace helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 3-1 comeback win againstItaly.
Italy stood in their way of early progress as these nations met at Wembley for the first time since they pipped Southgate’s men to European Championship glory on penalties.
England have come a long way in the intervening 27 months and emphatically bounced back from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca’s early gut punch under the arch.
Kane struck from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down the brilliant Jude Bellingham in the box, putting the hosts on course for the point they needed to go through.
But England wanted more and returned from the break with the bit between their teeth, with Real Madrid star Bellingham beginning a brilliant counter-attack that ended with him playing in Marcus Rashford to rifle home.
It will have been a special moment given the England forward missed one of the penalties against Italy and Kane added late gloss as the skipper looks forward to leading the national team to next year’s Euros.
Follow all the reaction from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for England vs Italy right here:
England vs Italy
FULL TIME! England 3-1 Italy
The Three Lions qualify for Euro 2024 with impressive comeback win
77’ GOAL! Kane scores second of the night tio put England on brink of Euro 2024 (ENG 3-1 ITA)
57’ GOAL! Rashford powers shot past Donnarumma after Bellingham break (ENG 2-1 ITA)
32’ GOAL! Kane beats Donnarumma from spot for 60th England goal (ENG 1-1 ITA)
28’ PENALTY! Bellingham brought down by Di Lorenzo in the box (ENG 0-1 ITA)
15’ GOAL! Scamacca punishes poor England defending as Italy take lead (ENG 0-1 ITA)
England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it
22:00 , Jamie Braidwood
The main fact of this 3-1 win was that England have qualified for Euro 2024, but the whole feel was why they should be talking about winning it rather than being too concerned any more with the formality of getting there.
A historic major nation like Italy were just made look a minor inconvenience, as Gareth Southgate’s side almost toyed with them. They were just so much better, and have a knowledge of that personified in Jude Bellingham. Harry Kane got two and Marcus Rashford scored a brilliant goal to make it 2-1, but all of that seemed mere detail to the main event, which was the Real Madrid midfielder’s domination of the pitch and decoration of the play.
This England era has now been going on for at least six years, but it is possible that Bellingham’s emergence marks the beginning of something else. He has exactly the type of assurance that can turn fine challengers into elite champions. It is visible in everything he does, not least the outrageous touch for the Rashford goal that sent England to Germany for next summer.
Bellingham is exactly what England have been missing, for far more reasons than his position and his talent.
By Miguel Delaney at Wembley
England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it
Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes
22:03 , Mike Jones
A couple of weeks earlier, Giovanni Di Lorenzo had perhaps the best view of Jude Bellingham’s burgeoning greatness. Not from his perspective, admittedly; there was little enjoyable about it as, close as he was, he was also powerless, backtracking as Bellingham slalomed through the Napoli defence, scoring for Real Madrid after a mesmeric solo run.
If the Napoli captain was determined to avert a repeat, he did when Bellingham surged clear. The methodology was agricultural, the cost a penalty for a scything challenge. Neither approach worked, each brought a goal, the second a Harry Kane spot kick. But if one of the world’s best right-backs struggled to find an answer to the question of how to stop Bellingham, he was not alone.
Bryan Cristante, seeing the prodigy in full flight, opted for a nudge in the back. It proved a cunning tactic, conceding a free kick, but not incurring a booking. Poor Francesco Acerbi found himself stranded in no-man’s land, lobbed brilliantly by Bellingham as he sent Marcus Rashford away to score the goal that, along with Kane’s clincher, sealed England’s place in Euro 2024.
Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes
FT England 3-1 Italy
21:59 , Jamie Braidwood
England have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare after coming from behind to defeat Italy thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and a brilliant Marcus Rashford strike.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca punished some slack England defending to fire Italy into an early lead, in what was a rematch of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
But England hit back as Kane converted a 32nd-minute penalty, which was won by Jude Bellingham following a bursting run into the Italy box.
And Bellingham was heavily involved again as he led an England counter-attack after the break, creating space for Rashford to slam a powerful strike into the corner.
Kane made sure of the victory with another breakaway goal late on – his 61st for England – and it means Gareth Southgate’s side can now begin their preparations for Germany next summer.
Here are how the England players rated at Wembley
Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford lead devastating England attack against Italy
More from Kane who spoke to BBC 5 Live
22:16 , Mike Jones
“I feel like sometimes we make qualifying look easy, so credit to the boys because it’s not. We’ve had one of the toughest groups, you’ve seen over recent years some big nations not going to major tournaments, so to do it [qualify] with two games to spare just shows the path we are on.
“We can enjoy it, it was a really good performance from everyone, even when we went one nil down there was no panic. We stayed calm and carried on doing what we have done the whole campaign and obviously got the rewards in the second half.
“We’ve beaten big nations quite consistently over the last few years. To win in Italy is one thing, but to back it up here too, with the performance, 3-1, comfortable for us, I think we showed a real maturity out there.
“We won’t get carried away. Enjoy the next camp, two more games to work together. Then these tournaments come around quick. Before we know it we’ll be in March and on the eve of the next tournament.”
FT England 3-1 Italy
22:15 , Mike Jones
Harry Kane has been directly involved in 33 goals in his last 30 appearances for England (27 goals and six assists), including either scoring or assisting in each of his last 10 games for the Three Lions.
More records for Harry Kane
22:14 , Mike Jones
Harry Kane’s brace tonight saw him overtake Bobby Charlton (23) to become England’s all-time top scorer at Wembley (24 goals).
This was the 11th time that Kane has scored a brace for England, with only Nat Lofthouse (12) netting two or more goals in a game on more occasions for the national side.
Post-match reaction from Harry Kane
22:05 , Mike Jones
England captain Harry Kane, speaking on Channel 4: “Qualifying is never easy. Sometimes we are just expected to go to the big tournaments but we have seen in the past it is not as easy as it looks.
“We went 1-0 behind and stayed calm. We knew we coiuld get the winner and we have done it.
“I do [enjoy scoring at Wembley] It is our home. We have made it a real fortress over the years. We want to repay our fans with victories and we have done that today.
“I showed a bit of pace [for his second goal] which is not normally my strength. To qualify with two games to go, credit to everyone involved.”
FT England 3-1 Italy
21:55 , Mike Jones
England have qualified for the Euro 2024 finals with two Group C Games to spare.
They’ve done it by beating the team that denied them winning the trophy in 2021.
Full-time! England 3-1 Italy
21:40 , Mike Jones
90+3 mins: There goes the final whistle! England have qualified for Euro 2024 and join Scotland at next year’s tournament in Germany.
Italy suffer their first defeat under manager Luciano Spalletti and it’s been a deserved win for the Three Lions. The first half was a fairly even affair, reflected in the 1-1 scoreline at the break.
In the second 45 minutes though, England took control. Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane and Phil Foden were all fantastic and helped the hosts push higher up the pitch easing the pressure on the defence.
Kane and Rashford both scored and Italy’s resolve wilted. Job done.
England 3-1 Italy
21:37 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Three more minutes of added time to play. Moises Kean takes a shot from the edge of the box and whips it straight into the waiting hands of Jordan Pickford.
England 3-1 Italy
21:32 , Mike Jones
86 mins: Jude Bellingham receives a deserved round of applause from the watching fans inside the stadium as Gareth Southgate brings on Jack Grealish for the final few minutes.
Kane will probably get it for his two goals but Bellingham is in with a shout for player of the match tonight.
England 3-1 Italy
21:30 , Mike Jones
83 mins: Should Gareth Southgate’s men see this one out, it’ll be their 19th match unbeaten at Wembley.
It will also mean that England defeated Italy twice in qualifying leaving the current European champions with a nervous finish to Group C as they’ll still be level on points with Ukraine.
England 3-1 Italy
21:28 , Mike Jones
80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes of the match now and England have a two goal cushion thanks to second half strikes from Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane.
It’s been a confident, though not commanding, performance from the home side driven mainly by the prowess of Jude Bellingham going forward.
GOAL! England 3-1 Italy (Kane, 77’)⚽️
21:25 , Mike Jones
77 mins: Boom! England’s grip on the game is secure now. Marc Guehi pumps the ball long and finds Harry Kane after Alessandro Bastoni’s header goes backwards.
Kane beats Giogio Scalvini to the loose ball and brings it into the box. He holds off Bastoni who’s trying to recover from the earlier error before slotting a fine effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
England 2-1 Italy
21:23 , Mike Jones
74 mins: As it stands, England are securing their spot at next summer’s European Championship. Can they close out this match and claim another win over the Italians?
Jordan Henderson flicks the ball forward in the hopes of getting Jude Bellingham in behind. The pass is overhit though and the ball gets scooped up by Donnarumma.
England 2-1 Italy
21:19 , Mike Jones
71 mins: Kalvin Phillips’ night is over as he is replaced with Jordan Henderson.
Consideing the reception Henderson received against Australia, and all the talk in the media that came from it, this time he’s loudly applauded as he takes to the field. There are still a few boos mixed in but the reception is positive for the midfielder.
England 2-1 Italy
21:18 , Mike Jones
68 mins: Chance! Phil Foden draws a decent save out of Gianluigi Donnarumma after some more tricky work from Jude Bellingham.
Foden gives the ball to Bellingham, who draws in a defender before slipping it back to the Man City man who takes a snap shot and finds the target.
Donnarumma sees it late but is well set and the ball comes straight to him making the save easier than it should have been.
England 2-1 Italy
21:12 , Mike Jones
65 mins: Marc Guehi comes on for England, replacing John Stones in central defence. Stones is just returning from injury so it’s probably a precautionary measure from Gareth Southgate.
Italy also make some changes with Destiny Udogie, Francesco Acerbi and Gianluca Scamacca all going off. On come, Federico Dimarco, Moises Kean, and Alessandro Bastoni.
England 2-1 Italy
21:09 , Mike Jones
63 mins: Close! Harry Kane drops deep to receive the ball. He whips a cross field pass over to Marcus Rashford who dribbles to the edge of the box, rolls onto his right foot and drills a shot wide for the far post.
Rashford’s full of confidence now.
England 2-1 Italy
21:06 , Mike Jones
60 mins: It was a superb finish from Rashford but the goal came from the smarts and awareness of Bellingham. Both men have put in strong showings tonight and they’ve combined to give England the edge on the game now.
30 minutes to play at Wembley.
GOAL! England 2-1 Italy (Rashford, 57’)⚽️
21:05 , Mike Jones
57 mins: What a goal!
England work the ball out from their own box and give it to Jude Bellingham. He flicks it past the first defender and sprints down the centre of the pitch before offloading the ball to Marcus Rashford to his left.
Rashford carries it into the box, cuts to the right and smashes it past Gianluigi Donnarumma to send the Three Lions ahead!
England 1-1 Italy
21:03 , Mike Jones
55 mins: Domenico Berardi brings the ball into England’s half but has a wall of white shirts ahead of him. He decides to go for goal anyway and blazes the ball high and wide.
England 1-1 Italy
21:02 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Bellingham is a live wire for England. He’s darting all over the place trying to earn a slight advantage for his team, be that through a high press or a threaded pass or a run off the ball.
The midfielder has been the standout for England so far.
England 1-1 Italy
20:58 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Close! Bellingham, Rashford and Trippier all press as a unit on the left side of the pitch and recover the ball for England. It comes across the front edge of the box to Phil Foden who lays it off to Kalvin Phillips with his first touch.
Phillips shoots but narrowly fizzes his effort over the top of the crossbar!
England 1-1 Italy
20:56 , Mike Jones
48 mins: England kick forward on a slight counter-attack with Harry Kane asked to wrestle possession in the middle of Italy’s third. He shrugs off a tackle and threads a lovely pass over to Phil Foden who’s arriving in the box from the right.
Foden controls the ball and tips it around Destiny Udogie who clatters into the wide man. Foden goes down, looking for another penalty, but nothing comes of this one.
Second half! England 1-1 Italy
20:52 , Mike Jones
No changes from either manager during the half-time break. Italy get the match back underway and boot the ball long trying to find Gianluca Scamacca.
John Stones shuffles ahead of him and wins the aerial ball, nodding it to safety for England.
HT England 1-1 Italy
20:49 , Mike Jones
Harry Kane has been directly involved in 32 goals in his last 30 appearances for England (26 goals and six assists), including either scoring or assisting in each of his last 10 games for the Three Lions.
HT England 1-1 Italy
20:45 , Mike Jones
England have suffered just one defeat in their last 62 major tournament qualifiers (World Cup/Euros) and are unbeaten in their last 35 such home games (W31 D4), since losing to Croatia in 2007 under Steve McClaren.
HT England 1-1 Italy
20:41 , Mike Jones
Half-time! England 1-1 Italy
20:37 , Mike Jones
45+3 mins: All square at Wembley. Italy took the lead with a sweeping move before Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot. England need to creat a few more chances from open play to really hone in on a win here.
The substitutions may prove crucial as the match goes one. Everything is still to play for.
England 1-1 Italy
20:36 , Mike Jones
45+2 mins: Save! Destiny Udogie is fed the ball on the left side of the pitch and weaves his way into the penalty area with England too scared to put in the tackle.
A quick check to his right sees him work the ball onto his right foot and he guides a shot to the far corner only for Jordan Pickford to drop low and push it into the middle of the box.
There’s a scramble and a hope for Italy to get a second but the ball is deflected over the top of the goal.
England 1-1 Italy
20:33 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
England 1-1 Italy
20:32 , Mike Jones
44 mins: Chance! A long ball from Pickford finds Kane who brings it down and feeds a shapr pass across to Rashford on the left side of the box.
Rashford pings one low and straight with his left foot and draws a sharp save out of Donnarumma who palms the ball wide of goal and out for a corner.
Decent chance and a very good save.
England 1-1 Italy
20:29 , Mike Jones
41 mins: After a couple of concussion tests Scalvini and Bellingham are on their feet and ready to play on. They’re sent off the pitch as Donnarumma restarts the game.
England 1-1 Italy
20:28 , Mike Jones
38 mins: England have shored up at the back and are making it difficult for Italy to get into the box. Instead Frattesi decides to shoot from range but his effort is closed down by John Stones.
Foden is then released on the counter-attack and drives forward. He slips the ball into the feet of Bellingham who twists his way into the area but clashing heads with Giorgio Scalvini.
Both men go down and need medical attention.
England 1-1 Italy
20:23 , Mike Jones
35 mins: Jordan Henderson has been sent out to do a few warm-ups by Gareth Southgate. On the pitch Harry Kane seems pumped up after that equaliser and is encouraging his teammates to up the tempo again.
Bellingham nicks the ball back on the left wing and curls a cutting pass into the penalty area for Foden’s diagonal run. As he tries to control it, the ball bounces up and hits Foden’s hand before he’s shoved to the deck.
The referee sees the handball and Italy are awarded the free kick.
GOAL! England 1-1 Italy (Kane, 32’)⚽️
20:19 , Mike Jones
32 mins: After a lengthy VAR check the penalty stands. Harry Kane steps up and bangs it into the top right-hand corner as Gianluigi Donnarumma leaps to opposite side.
Kane brings up his 60th England goal and the hosts are level once more.
Penalty to England!
20:17 , Mike Jones
England 0-1 Italy
28 mins: Declan Rice threads the ball into Harry Kane who holds it up brilliantly before feeding it into the path of Jude Bellingham. Bellingham touches the ball into the box and sprints after it.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo lunges for it from the left and takes out Bellingham leaving the referee to point immediately at the spot.
England 0-1 Italy
20:16 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Close! Rice finds Trippier on the left wing and he lifts the ball into the Italian box. The first cross it nodded out as far as Walker who recycles the ball back to Trippier.
His next effort at a pass is better and finds Jude Bellingham on the far side. Bellingham rises to win the ball and nods it into the floror towards goal.
Donnarumma spies it early and gets across to smother it.
England 0-1 Italy
20:14 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Kieran Trippier is too committed to get out of the way as Davide Fattesi weaves through the middle of the pitch. The ball is touched past the England defender who tries to stop his run but clips the midfielder and gives away a free kick.
England 0-1 Italy
20:10 , Mike Jones
21 mins: England want to pass the ball quickly but inside the final third, Italy are closing them down quickly. Rashford is given the ball and by the time he spins towards goal, three defenders are on top of him and he loses possession.
At the other end of the pitch, Scamacca has a go from the edge of the box but this one is pulled wide of the nearest post.
England 0-1 Italy
20:07 , Mike Jones
18 mins: England look all at sea in defence. A simple forward pass comes over to El Shaarway but Kyle Walker manages to get a head to the ball first.
It drops to a forward thinking Davide Frattesi who tries to shift it onto his right foot. As he’s lining up a shot, Walker gets across him and shields the ball long enough for Jordan Pickford to get out and scoop it up.
England need to sharpen up, that goal is feeding confidence into Italy.
GOAL! England 0-1 Italy (Scamacca, 15’)⚽️
20:05 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Oh how easy is this?
Italy burst up the pitch with Desting Udogie bringing the ball forward. He gives it to Stephan El Shaarway on the left wing but it’s quickly fizzed across the pitch as England back-track.
Declan Rice fails to intercept the ball and it comes over to Giovanni Di Lorenzo who carries the ball into the penalty area before pulling it back to his No. 9.
Gianluca Scamacca is open to turn the ball past Jordan Pickford and with Italy’s first proper attack, they go in front.
England 0-0 Italy
19:59 , Mike Jones
12 mins: England win a free kick smack bang in front of goal about 25-yards out from the target. Kieran Trippier and Marcus Rashford are the two standing over the ball but it’s Rashford who goes for goal.
He smokes it pretty well but there’s not enough dip on the shot to get it below the crossbar. Decent effort though.
England 0-0 Italy
19:58 , Mike Jones
11 mins: Kalvin Phillips has arrived late or two of three tackles so far, probably due to his lack of match fitness, and is the first man to go in the book for catching his man.
He’s joined their almost immediately by Destiny Udogie who yanks back Phil Foden after the Man City man, breezes around him with the ball.
England 0-0 Italy
19:56 , Mike Jones
8 mins: Cloxe! Marcus Rashford is fed the ball and he drives quickly towards the box, beating the first Italian defender. Rashford sends the ball inside to Harry Kane who feeds it to Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips looks to turn it on to Rashford but Giovanni Di Lorenzo intercepts the ball and boots it away.
England 0-0 Italy
19:52 , Mike Jones
5 mins: Rashford thinks he’s fouled on the edge of the box but the referee lets play go on as the ball comes to Jude Bellingham out wide.
He brings it to the penalty area, chops to the left, then back to the right before lifting a cross into the six-yard area where it’s nodded out for a corner which comes to nothing for England.
England 0-0 Italy
19:50 , Mike Jones
3 mins: The equation is simple for England. If they avoid defeat, they’ll qualify for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s men have made a decent start to the match. They’re knocking the ball around confidently and looking to work Italy out of position.
Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford combine for a quick one-two before the ball is swept out to Phil Foden on the right side. He goes down the line and looks for the final pass into the box but doesn’t pick out a teammate.
Kick off! England 0-0 Italy
19:48 , Mike Jones
The minute’s silence for the victims in Palestine, Israel and Belgium precedes kick off at Wembley. Jude Bellingham gets proceedings underway with a pass to John Stones who pings a forward ball up towards Harry Kane on the left side of the pitch.
He leaps to win the ball in the air but it gets nodding over to the Italian defence who boot it safely away,
Southgate on Phillips
19:42 , Mike Jones
England boss Gareth Southgate, spoke about why he decided to go with Kalvin Phillips in midfield this evening: “It is tactical. I felt Kalvin did a really good job against Scotland.
“He is a different sort of player to Hendo.
“Tonight is a really good test against one of the top nations in the world. We have to go and cause them as many problems as we can.”
A moment of silence to precede tonight’s fixture
19:40 , Mike Jones
A moment of silence will precede all of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifying matches, including England vs Italy, in memory of “members of the European football family killed in recent days in Europe and Israel”, European soccer’s governing body Uefa said in a statement.
Two Swedish football fans were fatally shot in Brussels by a suspected Islamist militant on Monday ahead of Sweden’s qualifying match with Belgium. The game at King Baudouin Stadium, about 5 km from the shootings, was initially suspended and then abandoned at half-time.
Hamas fighters killed 1,300 Israelis on Oct. 7 in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history. Israel has responded with intensive air strikes that have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians.
Tuesday’s five qualifiers feature Finland hosting Kazakhstan, Serbia at home to Montenegro, Denmark visiting San Marino, Italy playing at England, and Malta hosting Ukraine.
Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy
19:35 , Mike Jones
Kyle Walker is eyeing “a little bit of payback” when England host Italy at Wembley tonight. This Euro 2024 qualifier is the first time these sides have met at Wembley since the Azzurri pipped Gareth Southgate’s men on penalties in the Euro 2020 showpiece.
Walker admits the chance to put that ghost to bed adds a little extra spice to proceedings this evening, but the main focus is getting the point England need to seal qualification with two games to spare.
“Listen, we fell short on that night,” said Walker of the Euro 2020 final, “This is the first time they’re coming back to Wembley, so hopefully we can go out there and put a good performance on and maybe get a little bit of payback.
“I think you learn from occasions where you’ve been in finals and lose finals and setbacks, and you go on and achieve something great.
“We get a draw and we go through, so it’s about managing the game. Obviously, first and foremost, it’s about going out and putting a performance on and winning.
“But I won’t be ashamed if it’s 0-0 and we’re in the Euros and we’re going to represent my country at the finals.”
Can Luciano Spalletti remake his Napoli recipe in charge of Italy?
19:30 , Mike Jones
Luciano Spalletti was supposed to be on his Tuscan farm now. Arguably, though, he should still be at Napoli, managing what had looked like Europe’s most unexpectedly entertaining side. Instead, he will be at Wembley on Tuesday, in charge of Italy, his appointment a consequence of a combination of factors from the personal to the political, the footballing to the financial. Or, in a different way, of two emails.
One, triggering the extension in his Napoli contract without a pay rise, stemmed from club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, and instead prompted his resignation. A need for a sabbatical on his farm the cited reason; a breakdown in relationships more of a cause. The other, from Roberto Mancini’s camp a few months later, was his sudden resignation as Italy manager, the first to lead the Azzurri to a major title since Enzo Bearzot, trading the patriotism of leading his country for a reported £20m a year to take charge of Saudi Arabia instead.
And so it will be Spalletti in England, his presence a product of the enduring pulling power of the Azzurri job. While elite club coaches often eschew the international game, three of the last four incumbents, including Antonio Conte, are Scudetto winners, whereas no England manager has won the Premier League or the old Division 1 since Don Revie. It comes after the greatest feat of a career in the dugout that dates back three decades.
Can Luciano Spalletti remake his Napoli recipe in charge of struggling Italy?
England vs Italy
19:25 , Mike Jones
Italy manager Luciano Spalletti’s previous game at Wembley came while in charge of Inter Milan, losing 1-0 in November 2018 against Spurs in a Uefa Champions League match.
The last four Italy managers to face England for the first time have all drawn, with Giovanni Trappatoni the last manager to beat the Three Lions in their first game against them (1-0 in November 2000).
England vs Italy
19:20 , Mike Jones
Harry Kane has been directly involved in at least one goal in 17 of his 18 appearances in European Championship qualifying for England (20 goals, eight assists), including the last 14 in a row.
The only game he didn’t score or assist in was against Estonia in October 2015.
England vs Italy
19:15 , Mike Jones
Should Declan Rice or Harry Kane score for England in this match, they could emulate Tommy Lawton in scoring in consecutive appearances for the Three Lions against Italy, with Lawton the only player to ever do so, with his goals coming nine years and three days apart between 1939 and 1948.
England vs Italy
19:10 , Mike Jones
England have suffered just one defeat in their last 62 major tournament qualifiers (World Cup/Euros), a 2-1 reverse away at Czechia in October 2019 (49 wins, 12 draws).
At home, the Three Lions are unbeaten in their last 35 such games (31 wins, four draws) since losing to 3-2 to Croatia in November 2007 under Steve McClaren.
England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate
19:05 , Mike Jones
It was a character reference for a man who has become an ambassador of sorts for Saudi Arabia. The England faithful – or some of them, anyway – had turned on Jordan Henderson when he was booed off in Friday’s win over Australia. The England manager offered an endorsement of his vice-captain: not merely as a midfielder, either, but as a principled individual.
The Henderson of Al-Ettifaq, the man who used to support the NHS and the LGBTQ community instead plugging Saudi’s 2034 World Cup bid, stands accused of either being the opposite of the Liverpool incarnation or a figure whose decision to join the Saudi Pro League led him to become a public face of a repressive regime.
Gareth Southgate can see why many have a sense of disappointment, why there is a seeming contradiction. Yet he also argued that Henderson remains the same person, one who has helped create the right kind of culture with England.
England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate
England vs Italy
19:00 , Mike Jones
Italy haven’t lost any of their last 22 away European Championship qualifiers (17 wins, five draws) since a 3-1 defeat to France in September 2006.
If they avoid defeat here, they would set a new record for unbeaten away Euros qualifiers – Romania also had a 22-game run between 1991 and 2007.
England vs Italy
18:55 , Mike Jones
England have won their last 12 home European Championship qualifiers by an aggregate score of 47-4.
A player has scored a hat-trick in four of their last six on home soil – Raheem Sterling versus Czechia (March 2019), Harry Kane versus Bulgaria (September 2019) and Montenegro (November 2019) and Bukayo Saka against North Macedonia (June 2023).
England vs Italy
18:50 , Mike Jones
Italy are unbeaten in their last five away matches against England with two wins and three draws coming during that run since a 2-0 defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 1977.
Italy line-up
18:44 , Mike Jones
Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Acerbi, Udogie, Frattesi, Cristante, Barella, Berardi, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
Gareth Southgate addresses Jordan Henderson criticism ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy
18:40 , Mike Jones
England football manager Gareth Southgate addressed criticism directed towards Jordan Henderson following his move to Saudi Arabia.
“I’ll always pick the players that I think are the best players to represent the team,” he told a press conference on Monday, 16 October, ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.
England vs Italy – Team news!
18:39 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate changes his entire starting XI as England set out to qualify for Euro 2024 with at least a draw against Italy.
The England manager had fielded a much-changed side for Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia but the more established names returned.
Captain Harry Kane led the line while Southgate kept faith with Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips despite the minimal game-time for their respective clubs.
England’s last Wembley fixture against Italy was the Euro 2020 final defeat and eight of that side started here, while only three from the victorious Azzurri team made it into this clash – Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Nicolo Barella.
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Foden, Bellingham, Rashford, Kane
Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Acerbi, Udogie, Frattesi, Cristante, Barella, Berardi, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
England vs Italy
18:35 , Mike Jones
Following their 2-1 win in March, England are looking for consecutive wins over Italy for only the second time, also doing so with wins in 1948 and 1949.
Will they be able to pull it off tonight?
England vs Italy
18:30 , Mike Jones
The Three Lions have arrived at Wembley and the team news for tonight’s match will be dropping shortly. Who will make the starting XI?
Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos
18:25 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate vowed not to let a “popularity contest” sway his selections as the England boss threw his full support behind Jordan Henderson days after the stand-in skipper was jeered off at Wembley.
The Euro 2020 runners-up are within touching distance of qualifying for next summer’s finals and will seal their spot in Germany should they avoid defeat to Italy on Tuesday evening.
Wembley will welcome a second sell-out crowd in five days after Friday’s friendly against Australia brought an impressive turnout for what proved to be a largely forgettable 1-0 friendly win.
Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos
Southgate aiming to qualify for Euro 2024
18:20 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate says his England team are determined to keep producing memorable nights for the fans and says that qualifying for major tournaments is a big step towards that goal.
The Three Lions need just a draw against Italy to secure their place at next summer’s Euro 2024, due to their head-to-head record over the other teams, but Southgate is determined to win all three points this evening.
“Ultimately, the first objective is always to qualify for the tournaments and our performances earlier in the group have put us in a really strong position,” he said,
“So the first thing we want to do is play well and win the game but we know if it’s the 87th minute and we’re level, then we don’t need to lob the goalkeeper into the box at the end of the game.”
England vs Italy last three meetings
18:15 , Mike Jones
Things are usually fairly equal when the Three Lions take on Italy with most matches being decided by the odd goal here or there. Over the last three fixtures there has been one win and one loss for each team with a draw also being shared.
Here are the last three England vs Italy results:
Italy 1-2 England – 23 March 2023, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli
Italy 1-0 England – 23 September 2022, San Siro, Milan
England 0-0 Italy – 11 June 2022, Molineux, Wolverhampton
England vs Italy
18:10 , Mike Jones
The Three Lions have met Italy on 31 previous occasions over the years, with England winning nine times, drawing nine times and losing 13 times. The first meeting between the teams came back in May 1933, when it ended in a 1-1 draw in Rome.
Will England add to their winning tally this evening?
Where and when is Uefa Euro 2024?
18:05 , Mike Jones
After a winter World Cup in Qatar which saw Argentina defeat France in an unbelievable final, the qualifying rounds for Uefa Euro 2024 are here.
If it feels like that’s come around quickly, that’s because it has. The World Cup taking place in December 2022 rather than the tradtional summer slot meant that there was only 18 months between the World Cup and the Euros, rather than the customary two years.
The last European Championship was delayed due to Covid and took place all over Europe with many games taking place at Wembley. It was Wembley where England heartbreakingly lost the final to Italy on penalties after taking an extremely early lead on the night through Luke Shaw.
Where and when is Uefa Euro 2024?
England vs Italy prediction
18:00 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate is likely to revert to his full-strength, first choice XI this evening after fielding a relatively inexperienced line-up against Australia last week.
The quality in the England side, added to the fact they are playing at home, should be enough to see them edge out Italy and secure their place in the Euro 2024.
England 1-0 Italy.
England vs Italy predicted line-ups
17:55 , Mike Jones
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Grealish
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Barella; Berardi, Raspadori, Kean.
England vs Italy team news
17:50 , Mike Jones
Having made a second-string side for their friendly against Australia on Friday, Southgate will likely return to a full-strength side for this must-win clash. Bukayo Saka remains an absentee after his hamstring injury for Arsenal, while Kieran Trippier could deputise at left-back in the absence of both Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw who are out with long-term injuries.
Premier League duo Sandro Tonalia and Nicolo Zaniolo remain unavailable for their national side having withdrawn from the squad after their pair were questioned in relation to a gambling investigation by Italian authorities.
Elsewhere, Spalleti will have to deal with a number of injuries in the forward line with Federico Chiesa and Ivan Provedel both withdrawing from the squad due to respective fitness issues. In their absence, Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi looks set to retain his place in the forward line having scored his first goal for Italy in two years against Malta last weekend.
How to watch England vs Italy
17:45 , Mike Jones
England vs Italy is due to kick off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday 17 October at Wembley Stadium.
All of England’s fixtures outside of international tournaments are for now screened free to air on Channel 4, and can be streamed on the Channel 4 website and app. The build-up for the match begins at 7pm.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.
England vs Italy
17:40 , Mike Jones
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s European Championship qualifier between England and Italy.
The game is being played at Wembley and will kick off at 7.45pm with the Three Lions knowing that a win would secure them a spot at next summer’s tournament.
England defeated Italy in Naples earlier in this campaign but they take on the Azzurri at Wembley for the first time since the heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final.
Can Gareth Southgate’s men earn a little redemption this evening?
