England 3-1 Italy: Southgate’s two European stars down Italians

Gareth Southgate and England faced off against old foes Italy this Tuesday in a game with enormous implications for both sides. EURO 2024 is eight months away, and England are expected to bring the trophy home from Germany next summer following successful qualification last night. Italy famously defeated England at Wembley in the EURO 2020 final and the home side avoided a repeat thanks to mesmerising play from the finest players in La Liga and the Bundesliga, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.

The main concern for many fans is manager Southgate’s unwillingness to be brave and expansive going forward. The Australian fans visiting Wembley this past Friday to watch their side lose 1-0 to a poor England team were bemused by the cowardly level of England’s play. There is a fervent appetite for greater forward play from England. The Australia game this past Friday was a microcosm of how sluggish England have been.

After going 1-0 down to Italy, the team raised their game. Italy had no answer to the majestic Bellingham and superstar Kane. Southgate had wanted a performance as much as a win; England only needed a point – something to bolster belief. There was a swagger about England from the first goal on and an inevitability about the outcome, even after the early concession to Gianluca Scamacca and a few poor first-half moments in defence.

England equalised in the 32nd minute when Brummie Bellingham surged into the area and was brought down by a lame Di Lorenzo tackle. The penalty was given a long VAR check before captain Kane calmly stepped up and slotted home. Marcus Rashford of Manchester United made it 2-1 in style in the 57th, firing a rocket off a shot into the bottom corner after 20 year old Bellingham set him up. Kane then scored his second of the evening in the 77th, pushing off weak Italian defenders to score as manager Southgate punched the air in delight, relief and joy. His side now having qualifying unbeaten and with 16 points from six games, with two qualifiers to come this November now lame duck matches. The goals took Kane's tally at Wembley to 24, one more than 1966 hero Sir Bobby Charlton.

Questions remain for the England fan base about player selection. A long list of names such as Harry Maguire and John Stones are still in the XI regularly despite little minutes in the EPL at their club sides. Southgate has the most impressive record as England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, but there is a feeling England can be let off the leash next summer. There is an opinion with Bellingham and Kane England have the best No.10 and No.9 in world football right now. With burgeoning talent throughout the squad and the experience of the past few tournaments, second place won’t do again for Southgate and his young Lions. All or nothing come Germany at the finals next summer, for England and the career of their divisive coach.