How fitting it was record breaking Harry Kane to lead England into new beginnings.
Kane finally eclipsed Wayne Rooney as England’s record scorer with his 54th goal for his country and did it from the penalty spot to lay the ghosts of his World Cup heartbreak. It helped Gareth Southgate to his 50th win as England boss, it was England’s first win in Italy since 1961 and it felt like the start of something exciting.
Almost inevitably they made life hard for themselves as Luke Shaw was sent off with ten minutes left after two yellow cards in 54 seconds which left England clinging on and far more nervous than they should have been.
England should have had it wrapped up by half time, they were 2-0 up and Jack Grealish missed a sitter for a third but Harry Maguire’s mistakes were costly as Mateo Retegui hauled Italy back into the game and set up a grandstand finish.
It was far more nervous than it should have been before England finally celebrated a victory which almost gives them one foot in next year’s Euros because they have won their toughest game of all.
It was also a big night for Captain Marvel Kane who deserves to be regarded as England’s greatest goalscorer and, having become Tottenham’s record goalscorer two months ago, he will go down as one of the all time greats.
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But this is also about Kane as the leader, the captain and England’s talisman with the heart of a lion who refused to be broken by the worst moment of his career. Lesser players would never have taken another penalty after missing in a World Cup quarter final as Kane did against France. Not Kane. He just stepped up and smashed it the other way.
This is a player who the younger generation look up to and admire for his single-minded determination. An example for the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka who were the heartbeat of a hugely impressive result.
England were ahead after just 13 minutes. Saka’s corner found Kane and his shot was blocked by Giovanni Di Lorenzo and then Rice fired home.
England were in complete control. They got their second after a big VAR decision. Saka put over another corner, Kane jumped with Di Lorenzo, the ball struck the Italy defender’s left arm and Serbian referee Srdjan Jovanovic checked his screen and gave a penalty.
Kane wheeled away in delight. And a minute later, it should have been 3-0 but Grealish inexplicably fired wide with an open goal at his mercy. It looked like he was trying to be flash by slicing it with the outside of his foot.
That would have sewn the game up. Instead, England - and particularly Maguire - made life difficult for themselves. It just highlighted the risk of relying on a player who does not play for their club and is rusty. Kalvin Phillips was the same as he ran out of steam.
Maguire gave the ball away, then fouled Nicolo Barella before Marco Verratti passed to Lorenzo Pellegrini who played in Retegui who smashed home. Retegui is the Argentinian-born striker who qualifies via an Italian grandmother and scored on his debut.
England lost their way. Shaw got booked first for time wasting and then for a silly foul. Phil Foden suffered the indignity of being the sub who got subbed. It made it very edgy, but eventually they completed their Italian Job.
