And so for full time here. After Hungary at home; My God, after the defeat to Hungary away from home – plus the draws between Germany and Italy, which started this Nations League campaign so badly – it was a night when Southgate was in desperate need of a change of heart, something to restore the faith. However, there would only be more frustration, more dead ends, an absence of creative inspiration. Again, Southgate stepped onto the playing surface when it was all over, looked up at the traveling support and applauded them. They committed abuses. They had seen little to encourage them and Southgate is the man to blame. Italy were deserved winners, condemning England to relegation to the second tier of the Nations League, the decisive moment nearing the end when fast-rising star Giacomo Raspadori smashed home a high ball and felt Kyle Walker giving him too much space. The Napoli striker took a few touches to set himself up, getting further away from Walker before wrapping his right boot around a superb curler which he volleyed into the far corner. Raspadori only made his debut in Italy in June. He already has four goals. With the World Cup on the horizon at the end of November, England’s slump came at its worst. Relegation from the Nations League is set to affect the draw for Euro 2024 qualifiers. It will also see them play inferior opposition in the Nations League going forward, reducing their chance to match the best. But these issues seem random. The big question is how Southgate and his players will recover ahead of their World Cup opener against Iran, if they can shut out the noise, the suffocating narratives that are quickly building. Before that, there’s Monday’s final Nations League tie with Germany at Wembley, which looks like an even more daunting assignment. This is. Never mind no win in five – the worst such run since 2014 under Roy Hodgson – there has been just one goal for England during the series and that was a Harry Kane penalty against Germany. There is one other team in the Nations League who have failed to score a goal in open play. It is San Marino. Quick guide
Barraclough: Lafferty still has a future with the NI side
projection Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has insisted Kyle Lafferty can still have an international future after the striker was withdrawn from the squad on Friday morning. The veteran Kilmarnock forward is the subject of a club investigation following a video circulating on social media showing him using alleged sectarian language. In an occasionally tense press conference, Baraclough said a back injury had prevented Lafferty from training and also played a role in the decision to send him home. Further questions were blocked by Baraclough, but the manager left the door open for 35-year-old Lafferty to return. “It’s not necessarily the end,” he said. “It’s going to be mentioned in some circles and it’s going to be impressive, but I’m there for Kyle. The fact was Kyle hadn’t practiced since Tuesday.” The Irish FA will not conduct its own investigation into the matter, leaving it in the hands of the Scottish Premiership. Lafferty will miss Saturday’s home game against Kosovo and next week’s trip to Greece as Northern Ireland battle to avoid finishing bottom of their group. Nations League: Bosnia and Georgia promoted Bosnia and Herzegovina promoted to League A after a 1-0 win over their Balkan rivals Montenegro, with Ermedin Demirovic scoring in first-half added time after being set up by Edin Dzeko. Bosnia has sealed first place in Group B3, with Romania stays down after a 1-1 draw FinlandFlorin Tanase cancels Teemu Pukki’s start. Invincible Agriculture secured promotion from League C with a 2-0 win over the away team North Macedoniathanks to an own goal from Bojan Miovski and another from Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has five goals in eight Nations League games. Estonia were promoted from League D after beating Malta 2-1. Thanks for your response. England had not beaten Italy away from home since 1961. Southgate mentioned this in his press briefing on Thursday night. It was a challenge and his team thrived to overcome them, he said. It also felt like a call for perspective. Italy might not have qualified for the World Cup again, but, guys, it’s Italy. This Italy is a work in progress. Not a team to be intimidated by, despite boasting the pedigree of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leonardo Bonucci and Jorginho – plus flashes of emerging talent. The empty seats inside the San Siro highlighted local indifference and also the ongoing nightmare that is the nation’s absence from Qatar. England struggled throughout the first half. They were nervous, their passing loose, their many touches heavy. The distribution from goalkeeper Nick Pope did not inspire confidence and felt like a dangerous job returning him, but he was not alone in treating the ball like hot coal. Phil Foden, playing from the right, was a rare comfort in possession. Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our site and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Giacomo Raspanori (not pictured) shoots past England goalkeeper Nick Pope. Photo: Alberto Lingria/Reuters Italy got into the tackle from the start, pressing England high and getting some dangerous balls into the channels or across the flanks. When Federico Dimarco fired one at the far post, Gianluca Scamacca’s header from a tight angle was deflected away by Pope. England would also enjoy a let-off later in the first half when Raspadori let his touch go after a cut-back from the right. The home side tried to target the space behind Boukayo Saka at left wing-back. Southgate wanted to be progressive, despite reverting to a three-pointer. Hence the selections of Rhys James at right wing-back and Xhaka, plus Jude Bellingham in midfield. However, the plan of attack was stupid. Southgate would lament poor final decisions or execution. It sounded like he was clutching at straws. England didn’t stretch Italy at all before the interval. they could not go after them. Bonucci & Co looked comfortable. And it wasn’t much different in the second half, despite a late push. James mistimed a well-placed free-kick, while Kane had a chance from a tight angle. He hit it to Donnarumma, who hit it back. Should Kane have had a square? On the rebound, Kane dropped Donnarumma again. Bellingham tried to drive forward and would have a header in stoppage time, but it was impossible. Italy had threatened after half-time, Scamacca almost playing in Nicolo Barella only for an offside flag to go up. A Giovanni Di Lorenzo backheel nearly opened up England’s defense and then Raspadori mined gold, his strike of beauty. Southgate introduced Luke Shaw and Jack Grealish for Walker and Xhaka, switching to a 4-2-3-1, Raheem Sterling as No 10. It wasn’t the formation that was the problem and Italy might have had a second . Pope saved substitute Manolo Gabbiandini in a one-on-one, while Dimarco’s cross shot came in off the far post.
