England Claim First Away Win Over Italy Since 1961

England made the perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating Italy 2-1 in Naples. England had not won away against Italy since 1961.

Italy 1-2 England

England made the perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating Italy in Naples on Thursday night.

The Three Lions had not won away against their Italian counterparts since 1961.

But first-half strikes from Declan Rice and Harry Kane fired England to a 2-1 victory, with Mateo Retegui netting a consolation goal on his Italy debut.

England had to play the final 10 minutes with ten men after Luke Shaw picked up two quickfire yellow cards and was sent off.

Harry Kane scored as England beat Italy 2-1 in Naples :: IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy

Gareth Southgate's side began the game confidently and took a deserved lead in the 13th minute when Rice scored his third international goal.

Rice reacted quickest to pounce on a rebound after Leonardo Spinazzola had blocked a shot from Kane following a corner kick.

Kane then made history just before half-time by becoming England's all-time leading scorer.

The Tottenham striker moved clear of Wayne Rooney by netting his 54th international goal.

It came from the penalty spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo had handled the ball under pressure from Kane.

PENALTY FOR ENGLAND! 🤯🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/H1JXw4IKOm

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 23, 2023

Kane had missed his last spot-kick for England in a World Cup quarter-final against France in December.

But he made no mistake in Naples as he sent keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to score.

HE'S DONE IT! 👏

Harry Kane has now scored more goals for England than any other player in men's national team's history, breaking Wayne Rooney's record (54) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/SpTBZcspti

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 23, 2023

England had dominated the first half, after bossing possession with 64%.

But Italy improved after the interval and got back into the game on 56 minutes when Lorenzo Pellegrini set up Retegui to score on his debut.

IN HIS DEBUT NO LESS 🇮🇹

Mateo Retegui pulls one back for @Azzurri_En 👀 pic.twitter.com/u2DlnIzb2g

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 23, 2023

Retegui was born in Argentina and previously represented the South American nation at U20 level.

His goal got the home fans dreaming of a comeback but England held on for a famous victory, despite their late numerical disadvantage.

SEEING RED 🟥

Luke Shaw has been sent off in the 80th minute! 👀 pic.twitter.com/kxFkGgzI30

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 23, 2023