England has been relegated from Nation’s League A, after suffering an embarrassing defeat from Italy in Milan. Manager Gareth Southgate started Harry Maguire and the defender played a sloppy ball, when West Ham United striker Gianluca Scammaca beat him in the air at the far post, only for a combination of Pope and the woodwork to keep his header out.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been on fire for PSG kept a fine double save from Harry Kane. Southgate team tried to create goal opportunities but there were barely any other clear-cut chances, despite the promptings of Phil Foden, apart from a late Jude Bellingham header that he sent over the bar.
Bukayo Saka played an unfamiliar left-wing back position in which he made little impact, as he is usually an attacking winger. This was another bad night for England which did nothing to lift the spirits after their recent poor run of 495 minutes without a goal in open play.
Giacomo Raspadori’s scored a beautiful strike in the 68th minute to produce the only goal of the game. The strike was enough to send England out of the Elite group of the UEFA Nation’s League. Now, they may face tougher opponents.
Southgate was booed after he went towards the crowd to try and cheer them up. The fans were disappointed and frustrated and they did well to express their emotions.
The British country has only 90 minutes of warm-up play before the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where they would be fighting for a chance to hold the trophy.
