Nations League, Italy-England 1-0: Raspadori’s goal

Italy beat England 1-0 in the match valid for the fifth day of Group 3 of the Nations League. Raspadori’s goal gives the national team the success of coach Mancini who rises to 8 points and is now second behind the surprising Hungary, leaders at 10 after the 1-0 victory in Germany in Leipzig. On 26 September, the Azzurri visit the Magyars in the decisive challenge for first place and for access to the Final Four. The Germans are stopped at 6, the British are back at 2 and relegated to the Serie B of the competition. THE MATCH – Mancini’s men start with their foot on the accelerator and go close to scoring in the 5 ‘. Dimarco arrives on the bottom, cross and gored by Scamacca: Pope is attentive and gets away with the help of the crossbar. The occasion is destined to remain a substantially isolated episode in the first half, which does not offer a lively script. Low pace, the teams create little. Italy gives the impression of trying to create something, but does not find any gaps: England manages the ball without sinking the blow and the match is blocked. The 0-0 resisted without jolts until the interval. The National team tried to ignite the match with the qualities of Raspadori. The Napoli striker becomes more and more the reference point of the maneuver and the fruits are harvested in the 67th minute. Bonucci brushes a 50-meter throw that Raspadori tames with perfect control. The Napoli player returns to the right and kicks towards the far post: Pope beaten, 1-0. The goal uncorked the game and forced England to raise the center of gravity. Kane shows up in the 77th minute, but Donnarumma is careful. Italy finds space to restart and touches on an encore. Gabbiadini in the 84th minute lets Pope hypnotize himself, a minute later it is the post that repels Dimarco’s left. The result does not change: Italy wins.