Gareth Southgate’s team defeated Italy 3-1 with to a brace from Harry Kane, ensuring that England qualified for Euro 2024 with two games remaining.
For the first time since they defeated Southgate’s team in the European Championship final on penalties, Italy stood in the way of their early success when these two countries squared off at Wembley.
In the 27 months that have passed, England has made significant progress and has decisively recovered from the early gut punch under the arch delivered by former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca.
After Giovanni Di Lorenzo pulled down the outstanding Jude Bellingham in the box, Kane scored from the spot to give the hosts the lead they needed to advance.
However, England came back from halftime with a bit between their teeth, as Real Madrid star Bellingham started a great counterattack that culminated in him setting up Marcus Rashford for a spectacular goal.
Given that the England forward missed one of the penalties against Italy and that Kane added a final flourish, it will have been a memorable occasion. The captain is eager to take the team to the Euros the following year.
