Harry Kane became his country’s all-time record goalscorer as England won in Italy for the first time since 1961
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Thu 23 Mar 2023 18.13 EDT
First published on Thu 23 Mar 2023 14.30 EDT
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No word with Gareth Southgate on Channel 4, who have to get on with the rest of their evening’s programming. Suffice to say he’ll be pretty happy, not least because tonight he’s become only the third manager to clock up 50 wins after Walter Winterbottom and Sir Alf Ramsey. David Hytner was in Naples, and his report has landed. Here it is. Thanks for reading this MBM. Nighty night!
The other game in Group C tonight ended North Macedonia 2-1 Malta. That means England share first spot in the group with the Macedonians. Italy sit at the bottom with Malta. Ukraine, yet to play, sit bang slap in the middle of the standings, for what that’s worth. They travel to Wembley for their opening game on Sunday afternoon.
England captain and all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane speaks to Channel 4. “It means everything … I was so excited to put the England shirt back on … it had to be a penalty of course! … when it hit the net there was so much emotion … it was a magical moment … I just do what I do, I practice and worked hard in training yesterday … it’s a great night, we haven’t won in Italy for so long … the World Cup was obviously a difficult way to end … we spoke about getting back to it … we’re one of the best teams in Europe … today shows we’re ready for the next challenge … I’m big friends [with Wayne Rooney] and I know what the record meant to him … he’s a special guy, a great England legend himself.”
Congratulations to @HKane on becoming @England’s all-time leading goalscorer. I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick 🤣. Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/mX7M8S8al3
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) March 23, 2023
What a result for England! To give some illustration of its magnitude, not only is it their first win in Italy since 1961, it’s also Italy’s first European qualification defeat in 41 matches. Harry Kane’s winner from the penalty spot was his 54th international goal, and puts him one ahead of Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading scorer. The three points give England an almost ideal start to their Group C campaign, while dumping pressure on Roberto Mancini and Italy, still reeling from back-to-back World Cup qualification failures, even if victory at Euro 2020 was a damn fine way to soften those blows. It wasn’t perfect, of course: England lost Luke Shaw to a couple of quickfire yellows, and perhaps more worryingly lost a bit of momentum in that second half; they really should have put the game to bed with their dominant first-half display. But it’s the start of the cycle, no point hitting top form yet, and if you can’t enjoy yourself after ending a 62-year wait for a win in Italy, when can you? A fine evening’s work.
FULL TIME: Italy 1-2 England
England win in Italy for the first time since 1961! A dream start to their European qualification campaign!
90 min +5: Tonali probes down the right. Gnonto down the left. There’s no obvious way through. England hold their shape and Italy are forced to turn tail. England so close now!
90 min +4: Tonali swings in from the left. Di Lorenzo goes over in the environs of Trippier. A slight nudge, maybe, but one that’s ever so light, and Italy aren’t getting the penalty they want.
90 min +3: Now it’s Gallagher’s turn to deny Italy the chance to build an attack with some impressive buzzing around.
90 min +2: Acerbi slides in on Kane and picks up a booking for the resulting foul.
90 min +1: Gnonto dribbles down the left but his low cross is anticipated, blocked and cleared by Phillips.
90 min: Nothing comes of the retaken corner, though Italy are soon coming back at England again. Gnonto crosses from the left to little effect. England clear. There will be five minutes of added time.
89 min: Tonali curls the corner towards the near post. The ball pings out for another corner. Italy make some token pleas for a penalty, though their hearts aren’t in them.
88 min: Politano and Di Lorenzo combine well down the right, the latter winning a corner off Gallagher. Before it can be taken, Verratti is replaced by Scamacca.
87 min: Kane’s tireless industry pushes Italy back a little, and the clock ticks on. Top-drawer defending from the front.
85 min: Saka is replaced by James, while Gallagher comes on for Bellingham, who has hurt his knee. “That Adriano Celentano song has the best lyrics I’ve heard since International Harvester (2) from Music for Biscuits by the Mike Sammes Singers,” writes Simon McMahon, who knows all the buttons to press to get my attention, even with five minutes of a crucial Euro qualifier to go. “Maybe England can borrow or adapt one or the other for their next match?”
84 min: This is attack versus defence now. England can’t get out of their final third. Gnonto is causing them a lot of bother.
83 min: Spinazzola crosses deep from the right. Pickford plucks from the sky and then performs his falling-down clock-management grift. Needs must, huh.
82 min: Tonali wedges the resulting free kick into a crowded box. Phillips heads clear. England, so comfortable after a dominant first-half performance, are hanging on now.
81 min: As a result of Shaw’s dismissal, Foden is sacrificed for Trippier.
RED CARD: Shaw (England)
80 min: Yep, it’s a second yellow. Shaw picks up his second yellow in short order, and England are down to ten.
79 min: Shaw gets the wrong side of Politano this time and clips his ankle late. A free kick, and he could be in some bother here. Italy swarm the referee. You know what they want.
77 min: Gnonto crosses from the left. Politano lurks at the far post but is shepherded away from the ball by Shaw … who then goes into the book for timewasting over the resulting throw.
75 min: A poor Stones clearing header drops to Tonali, whose low drive from the edge of the area is blocked.
74 min: Italy have lost their post-goal momentum. England slowing things down again.
72 min: Walker is booked for taking an age over a throw. We’d previously been informed that he’d gone into the book for a row with Spoinazzola, but as he’s not also been shown a red, turns out that was nonsense. Pulitzer, please!
71 min: Gnonto is immediately involved, spinning into space down the left and looking for Tonali in the middle with a low cutback. He can’t quite find his man, but that’s a statement of intent.
69 min: Foden comes on for Grealish, while Italy make another double change, switching out Pellegrini and Jorginho for Tonali and Gnonto.
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