ENGLAND VS ITALY | MATCH PREVIEW
England will resume their Euro 2024 qualifier campaign against the current European champion, Italy, on Tuesday night. The match will be played at the famous Wembley Stadium.
Just one win away from Euro
England has gathered 13 points so far from their initial five matches, followed by Italy with 10 points from the same number of games as England. Gareth Southgate’s England are now just one win away from securing their spot in the Euro Cup campaign, joining the likes of Spain, Germany, Scotland, Portugal, and Turkey.
UEFA Euro Cup Final 2021
The latest meeting between these teams was in the famous European Championship final at Wembley Stadium. That game ensured the continuation of England’s long wait for an international trophy when they were beaten by Italy in a penalty shootout.
Southgate’s men got off to a flying start when Luke Shaw gave the lead to the English team within the first three minutes of the final. But Leonardo Bonucci scored an equalizing goal and forced the finale into a penalty shootout.
Jordan Pickford made crucial saves against Andrea Belotti and Jorginho, but Marcus Rashford’s shot hit the post. In the end, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s saves against Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka sealed Italy’s 3-2 shootout victory, securing their victory in the European Championship.
Players to watch
Harry Kane (England)
The captain and top scorer of England, Harry Kane, has been the main attacking weapon of the English team for a long time now. He has had a flying start with his new club, Bayern Munich, this season, already scoring eight goals. He is undoubtedly the main threat for Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal when Italy faces England in the Euro Cup qualifier.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Gianluigi Donnarumma already has experience of hurting the English team when he saved three penalties in the penalty shootout, ensuring a Euro Cup trophy for Italy. Once again, he will be the prime challenge for the English team to get rid of. Unlike Harry Kane, Donnarumma’s start to this new season has not been good so far. However, his potential can’t be underestimated, as he is capable of deciding the fate of the match on his own.
