England have booked their place at Euro 2024, with Italy having to wait and fight for qualification in a month's time. But even a win for the Azzurri at Wembley last night wouldn't have changed much. Gianluca Scamacca's first goal for the Men's National Team wasn't enough for his side, who took the lead after 15 minutes, as they succumbed to a brace from Kane and one from Rashford, all led by an unstoppable Jude Bellingham. In the stadium where Italy became champions of Europe 828 days ago, the Azzurri carried out Spalletti's pre-match call for playing on the front foot, showing some nice, quick link-up play and causing problems for the home side. The difference though was the young Real Madrid star, who first won the penalty, put home by Kane, that brought the equaliser; then, he created the second with a lovely bit of play in the middle of the pitch, before the third goal on the counter attack killed off the game by a clinical Kane.

Spalletti's first defeat in charge of the Azzurri doesn't damage their European qualification hopes, which will be decided in November in Rome and Leverkusen: four points will be enough from games against North Macedona and Ukraine to earn a place at Euro 2024 in Germany, but were they to lose the home game in Rome against the North Macedonians a win against Ukraine in the last group game would also secure their spot. What is certain is that Italy have their destiny in their own hands.

THE GAME. It was a much-changed starting eleven to the one against Malta, with eight changes made and only Donnarumma, Barella and Berardi retaining their places. Acerbi and Scalvini started out in central defence, with Di Lorenzo on the right and Udogie, making his first senior start, on the left in a complete new backline. In the centre of the park was Cristante, with the Inter pairing of Barella and Frattesi either side of him, while up top was Scamacca supported by Berardi and El Shaarawy. Five players who started the game were also involved in the EURO 2020 final: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo and Barella, who all started, as well as Cristante and Berardi, who came on after the break. For England, there was lots of quality, with Foden, Bellingham and Rashford in behind Kane. In Soutgate's 4-2-3-1 formation, Rice and Phillips, preferred to Henderson, were chosen to dictate the play and protect the defence.

England started off the game in control as they tried to push the Azzurri back into their own half. The Three Lions' high press stopped Italy from trying to build and play out from the back, forcing them to play long up to Scamacca to push them up the pitch. The Atalanta striker, tightly marked by Maguire, looked like he would be limited to just holding the ball up with his back towards goal, but on his first chance of the night he made no mistake: Di Lorenzo's low cross was just too far in front of Frattesi at the near post, but behind him was Scamacca, who from close range fired high into the net to give Italy the lead at Wembley inside 15 minutes, and grab his first goal representing the Azzurri. Not bad. The away team pushed for another: El Shaarawy picked out Frattesi's run forward, but he was unable to get the ball under control in front of goal and the chance fell away. Scamacca again came close, this time firing just wide with his left from the edge of the box. On the half hour mark, though, the equaliser came: Di Lorenzo, who gave away a penalty to the English seven months ago in Naples, brought down Bellingham in the box; Turpin pointed to the spot and Kane slotted home, sending Donnarumma the wrong way to make it 1-1. The game was an exciting affair, with England unbalanced and often in risk of being caught on the counter. A photocopy of the game's opening goal saw Di Lorenzo put in another low cross at the near post, with Frattesi again just unable to reach it. Then, there was a chance each: Rashford made Donnarumma work and at the opposite end Pickford got down well to save from Udogie's effort. One all at the break, with Italy probably just ahead on points.

The second half opened up with Udogie stopping Foden on the edge of the box and with Phillips' attempt flying high over the bar. But it was Bellingham who was the most inspired, leading the English side's attacking threat on all fronts. And it was from his great play that they made it 2-1 after 57 minutes, finished off by Rashford. There was still time for Italy to get back into the game. On the hour mark, Spalletti made a triple change, with Acerbi, Udogie and Scamacca being replaced by Bastoni, Dimarco and Kean. The French referee, Turpin, spared Phillips, who deserved a second yellow card for an ugly stamp on Barella, before Kane sealed the game on the counter after 77 minutes: with Italy unbalanced, and lots of space open for the Bayern Munich striker to attack, he clinically found the back of the net for the 61st time for his country.

The road to Euro 2024 returns in a month's time, where Italy have 180 minutes to play for qualification against North Macedonia and Ukraine. To book their plane ticket to Germany, no more slip-ups can be made now.

FIXTURES, RESULTS AND GROUP C STANDINGS

England 3-1 Italy
Malta 1-3 Ukraine
17 November: Italy vs. North Macedonia
17 November: England vs. Malta
20 November: Ukraine vs. Italy
20 November: North Macedonia vs. England

*Table: England 16 points (6), Ukraine 13 (7), Italy 10 (6) North Macedonia 7 (6), Malta 0 (7)

*games played in brackets