Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading goalscorer as Gareth Southgate’s side beat Italy 2-1 despite finishing the game with ten men.
It is now 103 days since the Spurs star drew level with Wayne Rooney’s record by netting a penalty against France, but that night is best remembered for him missing his second spot-kick in a quarter-final exit.
Kane managed to bounce back from that disappointment in historic fashion in Naples as he struck from the spot to become England’s leading goalscorer in a 2-1 win against Italy.
The skipper’s 54th goal came after Declan Rice opened the scoring during a superb first-half display that Jack Grealish should have added to in stoppage time.
Italy were a pale imitation of the side that beat England in the Euro 2020 final, but returned from the second half rejuvenated and quickly pulled one back through debutant Mateo Retegui.
Roberto Mancini’s vastly-improved Azzurri pinned the visitors back and Luke Shaw’s sending-off for two bookings in quick succession made for a nervy final 10 minutes at the dilapidated Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
But the visitors managed to hold out for victory in this hard-fought Group C opener, representing England’s first win away to Italy since 1961 as Southgate became just the third man to rack up 50 wins in charge.
There was a lot of the talk in the build-up about fan safety and the Football Association cancelled the ticket of a supporter who displayed an offensive, incendiary message on a St George’s Cross flag.
‘Diego’s in a box’ read the flag in reference to Maradona – the former Napoli star who died in 2020. Unfortunately, some visiting fans chanted the same at points during the first half.
More respect was shown to the late, great, Gianluca Vialli, with both sets of fans applauding as he was remembered in Italy’s first match since the former striker and coach died in January.
The hosts looked lively in the opening minutes but England quickly took control.
Bukayo Saka wriggled through to get away the visitors’ first shot, before Jude Bellingham ended an impressive move by hitting a 20-yard strike that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped over.
Saka sent over the resulting corner and Kane saw a shot at the far post blocked, only for Rice to swivel and lash home the loose ball in the 13th minute.
Struggling Italy were relieved to see Kalvin Phillips fizz a 25-yard effort narrowly wide rather than pass to Kane, who let him know he should have passed…
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