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Lee Ryder

England 0-0 Italy: Three Lions waste chances Newcastle star Callum Wilson would be grateful for

Italy's Euro 2020 hangover looks like it is starting to seep into the England camp. The Azzurri aren't even going to the World Cup later this year, and Gareth Southgate's side won't be staying in Qatar long if they continue to play like they did at Molineux.

The story of their UEFA Nations League campaign so far has been about the lack of proven scorer - with no goals from open play against Hungary, Germany and now Italy - and a lack of inspiration in the final third. Had it not been for Aaron Ramsdale last night they'd have been beaten too.

They sit bottom of League A's Group Three and must now beat Hungary back in Wolverhampton on Tuesday night to have a chance of success in the competition. Southgate has a lot to think about between now and then, not least the lack of bite in the penalty area but also a lack of cohesion all round.

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After a host of missed chances, what price a call-up for Callum Wilson at this year's World Cup finals in the Middle East? The Toon number 9 would have been grateful for some of the opportunities England have wasted in their three games in the Nations League so far.

Given there are only three matches left before the World Cup it is serious food for thought for the Three Lions boss and the look of distain on his face said it all by the end last night.

The rerun of the Euro 2020 final was played in front of just 3,000 youngsters and their parents after crowd trouble in last summer's Wembley showpiece resulted in a supporter ban served up by UEFA. The European champions should have edged ahead with just two minutes played but Empoli star Davide Frattesi steered wide from just three yards out after Manuel Locastelli's pass down the right.

It actually looked easier to score but it was much to the relief of Aaron Ramsdale in the early stages. England responded when Jack Grealish rolled the ball to Mason Mount but he could only curl tamely at Gianluigi Donnarumma after four minutes. The Euro 2020 goalie of the tournament then got in a mess moments later, kicking the ball straight to Tammy Abraham, but he somehow sent a gift of a chance wide.

England hit the bar on 10 minutes when skipper Raheem Sterling found Mason Mount in the box but he could only direct it against the woodwork. James Ward-Prowse's corner on 17 minutes was volleyed at goal by Declan Rice but it was lacking any type of accuracy and didn't trouble Donnarumma.

Italy should have gone ahead on 25 minutes when Ramsdale made a brilliant block with his legs to deny Milan star Sandro Tonali from point blank range. The game got niggly in the late evening sunshine as both Locatelli and Grealish were booked for late challenges.

Grealish should have fired England ahead on 28 minutes but after failing to time his run properly he stabbed a weak shot at Donnarumma. Grealish linked up with Mount again six minutes before the break but the Paris Saint-Germain stopper gathered comfortably after patting down his right-footed shot.

Ramsdale was on hand again just before the interval when Pessina curled a left-footed effort at goal with the Arsenal star getting just enough contact on the shot. And there was still time in the opening 45 minutes for Locatelli to hit a tame effort into the chest of the former Bournemouth keeper.

Despite England slightly edging the first half, the two Euro 2020 finalists went in level at the break. But it was thanks to Ramsdale's key saves that Southgate's men weren't a goal or two behind.

England were then handed another great chance after the break when Reece James crossed from the right to find Sterling at the far post but he somehow put the ball over with the goal yawning in front of him on 53 minutes. With Italy starting to look short of ideas, Roberto Mancini turned to the bench to introduce Inter Milan teenager Sebastiano Esposito and fellow youngster Wilfried Gnonto with an hour gone.

Southgate quickly turned to Harry Kane, Jarrod Bowen and Kalvin Phillips for Mount, Rice and Abraham. Midway through the second half Grealish slotted a pass to Ward-Prowse but he screwed the ball wide. Former Inter youth star Gononto had a glimpse of goal on the right but his shot hit the side netting.

Bukayo Saka was introduced with 13 minutes left with the Arsenal ace replacing Sterling after the Man City man lacked impact overall and missed that complete sitter. An England defensive change saw Fikayo Tomori go off for Marc Guehi for the final stages.

An injury time corner saw Ward-Prowse swing the ball in but the set-play lacked quality and Phillips was penalised for a foul. Bowen charged forward in the 93rd minute but rather than slip in Saka down the right he opted to keep going and while he won a free-kick it came to nothing.

It summed up a dire night for England and Southgate.

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