Italy v England: Harry Kane becomes England men’s record scorer with 54 goals – live | Euro 2024 qualifying

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!

Colum Fordham is on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and right here’s his capsule overview of occasions to this point. “There’s been a good atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with no problems so far between England fans and locals. Met some guys from Taunton who were happily sinking Nastro Azzuro on the underground. I’m in Curva B with the Napoli/Italy fans who are a bit disconsolate at the moment (understandably), trying to encourage their team. ‘Chi non salta inglese è! Those who aren’t jumping are English’ they chant, but I’m secretly jumping for joy. Kane has been superb.”

More half-time leisure. Courtesy of JA Hopkin (“Amazing video”) and Adriano Celentano.

Half-time leisure. Some highlights of the final time, to this point, that England received in Italy, in 1961. Gerry Hitchens scored twice in a 3-2 win, his efficiency incomes a switch from Aston Villa to Internazionale. Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves bought the opposite, and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he was signed by Milan. Precedents thus set, ought to England maintain on, are Rice and Kane heading for Serie A?

This rating doesn’t flatter England in any respect. England are midway to their first away win towards Italy since 1961. The Italians are whistled off.

45 min +1: England must be 3-0 up. Saka slips a cross down the inside-right channel for Kane, simply contained in the Italy field. Kane rolls the ball throughout the face of objective, having drawn the keeper and all of the defenders. Grealish should faucet house! But confronted with an open objective, six yards out, he slices his shot, the ball bobbling apologetically large proper of the goal. Oh my. Grealish stands agog. He’s no thought how he missed that.

45 min: Given what occurred to Kane within the final match England performed – and there’s actually no have to be going over it once more – that’s one heck of a penalty. Ice within the veins!

Harry Kane scores his 54th objective for England, slotting into the underside proper having despatched Donnarumma the unsuitable approach! He runs off screaming with delight! He’s England’s all-time record scorer! And he’s simply put England within the field seat right here.

43 min: The referee attracts a TV display within the air, and factors on the spot. The right determination, even when Italy encompass the referee in impotent rage. No thought why Di Lorenzo was hanging his arm out like that. He can haven’t any complaints.

42 min: Kane was about to both chest down or head goalwards from the nook of the six-yard field. But it hit Di Lorenzo on his outstretched arm. This seems to be like a penalty. The referee goes over to the monitor. It’ll be a shock if this isn’t given.

41 min: Shaw crosses from the left, on the lookout for Kane and forcing a nook. Saka swings lengthy. The ball clanks out, ostensibly for a objective kick, however Kane screams for a handball and a penalty. VAR will test.

39 min: Verratti slips a cross down the center for the debutant Retegui, who makes an attempt to get a shot away just for Stones to get proper in his grille and block. Pellegrini slices the rebound out for a objective kick. As harmful as Italy have regarded, which isn’t very.

38 min: The sport shifts down a gear from Lull to Near Halt. England are more than pleased to indicate persistence.

36 min: The sport settles down into one thing of a lull, which presumably qualifies as some type of progress for Italy. They’ve been very poor to this point.

34 min: Italy haven’t given their followers a lot to work with, however the quantity grows within the stadium as the house supporters attempt to gee up their crew. “Enjoying the ‘Impossibile is Nothing’ slogan on the dugout,” writes Liz White. “Is the Italish (Englian?) on purpose? Or did something get a little mangled, like the anthem?” Perhaps Adriano Celentano’s taken a late profession swerve into copywriting.

32 min: Jorginho will get the ball caught between his ft and is relieved of it by Bellingham, who tees up Phillips, 25 yards out within the center. Phillips takes a contact earlier than sending a daisycutting screamer inches large of the underside left. Donnarumma most likely had it lined, although you wouldn’t guess the farm on it with out a second view.

31 min: Saka dribbles infield from the proper, a improbable little burst that involves a sorry finish when he dinks a cross to an imaginary team-mate on the overlap. Italy intercept and clear.

29 min: Yep, right here we go. Rice is booked for faffing round over a free kick within the centre circle. He’s not comfortable about it – “It’s my first one!” – which suggests he thinks he’s been mistaken for Maguire, England’s earlier faffer. Whatever, England had been pushing their luck and collectively asking for that.

27 min: Barella threatens to burst into the England field down the inside-right channel, just for Rice to place a cease to his gallop with a wonderfully timed sort out. Italy and their followers holler for a free kick, however fairly accurately they’re not getting one.

26 min: Now Maguire takes an age over a restart, and the referee points some extra useful recommendation. England are on prime right here, with Italy agitated, however they’d do properly to not take a look at the referee’s persistence any extra. Any reserving now could be so pointless.

25 min: Elsewhere on the touchline, Roberto Mancini paces round with a involved look on his face. A furrowed forehead. He momentarily considers chewing his fingernails, however thinks higher of it. A nervous man.

23 min: Pickford orchestrates some affected person pinging round on the again. It doesn’t half annoy the house followers, who whistle lengthy and exhausting. Then the substitute Trippier takes his candy time to return the ball from the England dugout for an Italy throw. That earns him a stern talking-to from the referee. Italy collectively irritated proper now.

21 min: Rice slips Kane into the Italy field down the proper. Kane whistles an impressive ball throughout the face of objective, however Bellingham, busting a intestine to achieve it from deep, can’t fairly prolong a telescopic leg far sufficient. Any contact and that was two.

19 min: Other than that one run by Spinazzola, Italy haven’t responded to falling behind in any respect. England look fairly comfy. Bellingham and Saka mix down the center and practically open the hosts up. Saka claims an errant hand has stopped the assault, however the referee’s not .

17 min: Shaw crosses low from the left. Easy for Donnarumma. That objective’s taken a good bit of air out of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The away followers giving it lots as they belt out God Save The King. Possibly a greater rendition than the one carried out by the singer through the pre-match shenanigans, who based on Jacob Steinberg, our man in Naples, “was all over the place … she seemed to start it twice … she then got replaced very abruptly for the Italy anthem and was having what appeared to be a very long debrief during it … there were very Italian hand gestures.”

15 min: Italy try to reply instantly, Spinazzola whipping a cross-cum-shot in from a decent place on the left. Easy for Pickford, who catches calmly at his close to publish.

Saka swings the nook into the mixer. Italy fail to deal with it. The ball drops to Kane on the left-hand nook of the six-yard field. His low shot is blocked, however pings again to Rice, who slams house, into the underside proper from ten yards!

12 min: Bellingham strides down the proper this time earlier than sending a fierce rising shot in direction of the top-right nook. It’s heading in, so Donnarumma is pressured to tip over the bar. And from the ensuing nook …

11 min: Saka curls the nook in lengthy from the proper. Donnarumma punches, albeit not in a very assured method. The ball whistles out for an additional nook, however the whistle goes for a free kick, a kind of 50-50 choices {that a} keeper will at all times get.

10 min: Bellingham strides in from the left and attracts a foul from Toloi. Everyone traces up on the sting of the Italian field this time. Shaw curls the free kick deep. Maguire rises to win a header and pressure England’s first nook. Saka to take.

8 min: Saka sashays down the inside-right channel and makes it to the sting of the Italian field. His shot isn’t all that, bobbling by to Donnarumma, however it was a wonderful run.

7 min: Grealish drifts infield from the left and goes over, claiming Di Lorenzo tugged him. He might need a degree, too, however he doesn’t get the free kick. Maybe he went over somewhat too simply.

6 min: Nothing comes of it. England look a bit shaky, although. They’ve but to search out their ft.

5 min: Verratti and Barella practically mix on the sting of the England field. Kane intercepts and clears. Italy come once more, although, Pellegrini driving down the left and successful the primary nook of the sport.

3 min: Barella is skittled by Bellingham out on the Italian proper. The first massive free kick of the night and so everybody traces up on the sting of the English field in anticipation … and Italy anticipate higher than England, who snooze as Pellegrini swings it in. Di Lorenzo strides away from everybody to satisfy the dropping ball and the guests are extraordinarily lucky to see him miskick. The ball dribbles by to Pickford.

2 min: A reasonably scrappy begin, although the hosts are seeing a lot of the ball throughout it.

Italy get the ball rolling. One hell of an environment in Naples, like that’s breaking information.

The groups are out! Just in time for the nationwide anthem of each Italy and England. First carried out by singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano within the authentic satirical approximation of what English sounds wish to the Italian pop youngsters …

… and later translated into cockney-infused gibberish by the bloke from Runaround. The precise on-field efficiency of God Save The King isn’t that significantly better when it comes to readability. All proper!

Gareth Southgate speaks to 4. “It’s one of the hardest games in world football … not only the quality of the players they’ve got but the historic nature of the football nation … we haven’t got a great record here, and tonight is an opportunity to put that right … Hendo was a big part of our midfield during the World Cup but hasn’t been able to train fully for the last week, so we’re keeping him back … Kalvin has played really well for us and is a super player … he’s at a big club where it’s hard to get into the team, which is not ideal for his rhythm, but he’s more than capable of doing a job … Grealish is in a good moment with his club and full of confidence … it’ll be important for us to retain possession and have runners in behind to stretch the defence … we’ve got to look at the qualification over eight games and if we can get a win it’d be a great start … obviously that’s the objective and we’ve got to play the football we were playing two, three months ago.”

Channel 4 have simply proven a disturbing movie by which poor Harry Kane is pressured to take a seat down and watch unexpurgated footage of his World Cup penalty miss towards France. “I have a routine, a process … to execute [the first penalty] was really nice … I’ve seen [the second penalty] on social media and stuff, I haven’t sat back and watched the game or anything like that … it’s tough, you know … watching back it still hurts … and probably will for most of my life … but hopefully I can have some special moments in an England shirt in the future that will override that.” Come on, Channel 4! Where was the pink triangle? Special Discretion Required! Special Discretion Required!

The Azzurri emerge from their two-decade Puma nightmare tonight. Look at this prompt traditional! Definitely nearer the Diadora finish of the size than the Kappa. The embroidery on the pennant isn’t half unhealthy both. Italy with out query stealing a sartorial march on England, although we’ve identified that for no less than a few millennia.

Jude Bellingham speaks to Channel 4. “It’s been a quick turnaround … there’s been a bit of reflection on the World Cup and the positives we can take from it … the lads are definitely confident coming into the game and we’re looking forward to playing in such an amazing fixture … every midfield battle helps to sway the tide of the game so it’s important we get on the front foot and are aggressive.”

“Buona sera,” begins our man Philip Cornwall, who’s in Naples on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his England supporter’s hat on quite than his regulation Guardian press titfer. “Half the Italian armed police seem to be here but it all seems peaceful, and I travelled by local train rather than on the England coaches. Names on tickets are being checked against passports four times and you get patted down by the police or stewards three times, including twice within 10 yards. Remains to be seen what it is like afterwards, of course, but locals have assured me that it will be fine as it’s not Napoli. PS: I have never been anywhere that people have been celebrating winning a league title this early in the season.”

England make two modifications to the facet named for the World Cup quarter-final with France in Al Khawr final December. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are available in for Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden, who drop to the bench.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Gnonto, Scamacca, Pessina, Emerson, Scalvini, Cristante, Politano, Tonali, Romagnoli.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Kane.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Maddison, Forster, Toney.

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović (Serbia).

The qualifiers of Euro 2024 choose up the place the ultimate of Euro 2020 left off. Yep, the cycle loops all the best way round to Italy versus England once more, the closest Uefa’s worldwide fixture record has ever come to replicating the narrative construction of Finnegans Wake. The European champions welcome the crew they beat in that aforementioned Wembley showpiece to Naples for the primary match of what guarantees to be a hotly contested Group C qualification marketing campaign.

All the indicators level to an emotional one. England want to avenge their defeat within the Euro 2020 last. Harry Kane is on the lookout for his 54th worldwide objective, one that might make him England’s all-time main scorer forward of Wayne Rooney. And the hosts shall be remembering the beloved Italian icon Gianluca Vialli, who handed away in January. Throw within the regular ranges of Neapolitan ardour – at the moment cranked as much as 11 given Napoli are champions-elect – and this must be a night to recollect. One approach or one other. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm in Naples. It’s on!