Harry Kane and England successfully rebounded from World Cup heartbreak with a historic victory over Italy.
As England’s men started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over host nation Italy in Naples on Thursday, Harry Kane became the nation’s all-time highest scorer for men.
History made in Naples as the #ThreeLions make the perfect start to #EURO2024 qualification! đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/qZYoBZTyYM
— England (@England) March 23, 2023
In a rematch of the last European Championship final, which Italy won on penalties, England was by far the better team in the first half and went into the intermission with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane’s record-breaking penalty stroke.
But Italy fought back in the second half and cut their deficit in half in the 56th minute when Mateo Retegui, an Argentinean, scored on his Azzurri debut after Harry Maguire gave the ball away.
Luke Shaw got a second yellow card with 10 minutes left and was kicked out of the game. This meant that England had to defend for the last 10 minutes with only 10 players.
But Gareth Southgate’s team made enough plays to hold on and earn their first victory away from home against Italy since 1961.
ENGLAND’S ALL-TIME RECORD GOALSCORER!
Congratulations, @HKane! đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/vXoeRcQrRC
— England (@England) March 23, 2023
Although there will be questions about how England stumbled in the second half, it was the ideal answer to the agonising loss to France in the World Cup quarterfinals in December when Kane missed a key penalty.
After Giovanni Di Lorenzo was called for a handball in the 42nd minute, he made no errors this time and found the corner to set yet another scoring record.
Kane also played a role in England’s opening goal, which Rice scored after Rice’s effort was stopped, lulling the bulk of spectators at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to stillness.
Retegui, an Argentinean, hammered a low shot past Jordan Pickford to give Italy, who defeated England on penalties to win Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium but failed to qualify for the World Cup, a far greater threat in the second half.
Italy struggled to produce clear chances and lost their first defeat in 41 Euro qualifying games as England slipped deeper and deeper as it seemed as though they were out of gas.
Since taking over as national coach in 2016, Gareth Southgate has amassed 50 victories. It was England’s first competitive victory over Italy since 1977.
But Kane owned the night.
Kane said, “The squad had a really memorable night, and this has been a truly special night for me personally.””It’s been a very, very long time since England has triumphed in Italy, and to be a part of that is great.
I also want to express my gratitude to my wife, my family back home, the staff, the fans, and my teammates. I’ll never forget this great night, and I’m so proud of everyone. And I want to express my gratitude to everyone here for helping to make this dream a reality.
An emotional moment in the #ThreeLions dressing room. ❤️
What an achievement, @HKane. pic.twitter.com/a1bQT2zDHx
— England (@England) March 23, 2023
Kane surpassed Rooney despite scoring in 81 fewer appearances, but Rooney was quick to congratulate his former international teammate.
“That was quick; I knew it wouldn’t take long. An England legend, incredible goalscorer, and great man Congratulations, Harry. On Twitter, Rooney stated.
For the first time in ten years, the Azzurri played in Naples, but Roberto Mancini’s team struggled as they were outplayed in the first half.
Early on, England’s young midfielder Jude Bellingham was in charge, and he forced Donnarumma to make an outstanding stop after unleashing a fierce long-range drive.
On the next corner, when Kane’s shot was blocked by Leonardo Spinazzola, Rice had a clear shot at Donnarumma.
Every time England crossed the halfway point and Kane flashed a low ball across the goal, they appeared dangerous.
❤️ https://t.co/VYCJUJMbLr
— England (@England) March 23, 2023
Despite playing very little for Manchester City this season, Kalvin Phillips was surprisingly granted a start, and he came near with a low display as Kane yelled for a ball.
Srdjan Jovanovic, the referee, determined after consulting a monitor that Di Lorenzo had used his arm as a cross to enter the box, which was a bit harsh on Italy and perhaps unfair to Kane’s moment of history.
When Kane successfully converted the penalty, England was in complete control. However, Jack Grealish wasted a wonderful opportunity to make it 3-0 just before halftime.
After the break, Italy was a new challenge, and Retegui finished his first race well.
Midway through the first half, Mancini introduced Wilfrid Gnonto, who caused a variety of issues as Italy pushed forwards.
After Shaw wasted time and got another yellow card for a bad tackle, England had a hard time getting to the finish line.