England’s winless start to their UEFA Nations League campaign continued as an experimental Three Lions side failed to break down European champions Italy in a goalless draw at Molineux.
This was a game played behind closed doors as punishment for the chaos that preceded the last meeting between these two, when Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Several thousand excitable schoolchildren in attendance did however provide Gareth Southgate’s side a lively backdrop in Wolverhampton and almost got the goal they craved when Mason Mount crashed an effort against the crossbar in the first half.
Raheem Sterling, who was captain for the evening with Harry Kane among the substitutes, also skewed a glorious opportunity over from close range from Reece James’ whipped delivery after the break.
But the hosts also needed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to be alert on several occasions to stop the Azzurri from inflicting another defeat on Southgate’s outfit, who remain bottom of Group A3 with two points after three games.
Credit: BBC