Raspadori lights up Italy: England bent at San Siro

The Azzurri beat Southgate’s selection 1-0 thanks to a goal from the Napoli striker

Flashes of real Italy at the San Siro. The Azzurri folded England 1-0 in a match valid for the Nations League group: Raspadori’s goal in the second half was decisive. Thanks to this victory, the national team climbs to second place in Group 3, -2 from Hungary first (defeated 1-0 by Germany in the other match), and next opponent of ours on Monday in Budapest. The English, on the other hand, relegate to the B series of the Nations League.

The Azzurri held their own against England throughout the match: early on Scamacca hit the crossbar with a header. Despite the many absentees, Mancini’s team holds the field well and suffers nothing in defense, where Kane is well controlled by Bonucci, Toloi and Acerbi.

In the second half, after two chances created by Dimarco and Gnonto, Italy went ahead in the 68th minute thanks to Raspadori: the Napoli striker hooks a Bonucci throw, keeps Walker at bay and with a nice right-footed shot beats Pope for the 1-0 Azzurri lead. The national team contained the reaction of the English (Donnarumma twice repulsed Kane’s attempt), and in the final came close to doubling the score several times with Gabbiadini, Cristante and Dimarco (post).