Italy 1-2 England: Harry Kane becomes Three Lions top scorer as Luke Shaw sees red in opening Euro 2024 qualifier

The Three Lions avenged the Euro 2020 final shoot-out loss to Roberto Mancini’s charges on a memorable night at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

England were in control at the break thanks to Declan Rice’s 13th-minute goal and Kane’s penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Scoring from the spot-kick seemed the perfect way for Kane to score his 54th international goal, coming just 104 days after missing a penalty in the quarter-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup. He surpasses Wayne Rooney in the scoring charts.

Debutant Mateo Retegui gave the Azzurri a lifeline after the break and England did well to hold on for victory after Luke Shaw was sent off for two bookable offences inside 54 seconds with 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors made a great start when Rice rifled a left-footed shot into the net from point-blank range after Italy failed to clear Bukayo Saka’s corner delivery.

The out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips came agonisingly close to doubling their lead before Kane fired in England’s second after Giovanni Di Lorenzo handled in the box.

England were carving Italy’s defence open time after time and Jack Grealish spurned a glorious chance to add a third before the break.

But 11 minutes after the restart, Retegui halved the deficit, finishing with aplomb after being released by Lorenzo Pellegrini’s no-look pass.

In stark contrast to the opening period, England were sloppy and fatigued in the second half, and their task of holding on became more difficult as Shaw was shown his marching orders.

Their relief was clear as the referee blew the full-time whistle, as England recorded their first win on Italian soil since 1961. It is also the first time the Azzurri have lost a European qualifier in 41 games, a record that stretches back to 1999.

Talking point – Record-breaking Kane caps fine night in Naples

Just 104 days after Kane missed a penalty as England crashed out in heart-breaking fashion in Qatar, the Tottenham striker stepped up to the spot once more. There may not have been a World Cup semi-final place at stake, but there was still plenty of pressure on the kick. He showed nerves of steel to become England’s all-time record scorer eight years on from making his debut.

Kane now has 54 goals in just 81 appearances, with 48 of those coming in competitive internationals. The fateful penalty miss against France will live long in his memory, but he has provided countless positive moments for the Three Lions and, aged just 27, could yet cap an incredible international career by lifting silverware.

On a whole, Southgate will be pleased with the result, even if the limp second half performance will raise concerns. They’re up and running in qualifying, and in a group that also contains Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia, England will be confident of topping the pool again.

Player of the match – Harry Kane (England)

Jude Bellingham was outstanding in the first half but Kane was tonight’s stand-out player, not only for his cool and composed attacking performance but his overall contribution.

Player ratings

Italy: Donnarumma 6, Di Lorenzo 5, Toloi 5, Acerbi 5, Spinazzola 6, Barella 6, Jorginho 6, Verratti 7, Berardi 6, Retegui 7, Pellegrini 6.. subs: Gnonto 6, Scamacca N/A, Cristante 5, Politano 6, Tonali 6.

England: Pickford 6, Walker, 7 Stones 7, Maguire 6, Shaw 4, Rice 8, Phillips 7, Bellingham 8, Saka 7, Kane 8*, Grealish 5.. subs: Trippier N/A, James N/A, Gallagher N/A, Foden 6.

Match highlights

13’ – GOAL! ITALY 0-1 ENGLAND (DECLAN RICE): England are in front! Saka’s deep corner delivery is controlled by Kane, whose shot is blocked. But it falls to Rice and he rifles a left-footed shot into the back of the net. What a way for the West Ham midfielder to mark his 40th international appearance!

42’ – PENALTY TO ENGLAND! Kane is pleading with the referee to check with VAR as Di Lorenzo appears to handle the ball in an attempt to clear Saka’s corner delivery. VAR does indeed check the incident and now the referee has gone to the screen… we know what this usually means! And it’s given! Kane will take the spot-kick!

44’ – GOAL! ITALY 0-2 ENGLAND (HARRY KANE, PEN): Kane scores and history is made! The Tottenham striker is England’s all-time record scorer with 54! He makes no mistake with his spot-kick as he sends Donnarumma the wrong way and double England’s lead.

56’ – GOAL! ITALY 1-2 ENGLAND (MATEO RETEGUI): On his debut, Retegui has halved the deficit with a goal! Pellegrini slips his team-mate in with a no-look pass and Retegui takes a touch before smashing it past a helpless Pickford.

80′ – RED CARD! Shaw is sent off for a second bookable offence after a foul on Barella! England are down to 10 men and have a difficult task of holding on now.

Key stats

• Mateo Retegui, who plays for Tigre in Argentina, is the only player in the history of Italy’s men’s team to score his first goal for the nation while playing his club football outside of Europe.