Declan’s big night as England have first win in Italy for 62 years

Big congratulations to Declan who scored the first goal of the match against Italy – his third as a Three Lions player – as England won their  UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 Group C win in Italy.

The Hammers skipper scored an opportunist goal  with a left-footed shot after 13 minutes at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, after Harry Kane’s initial shot had been blocked.

Dec may have been fortunate later with what appeared to be a studs up challenge but remained on the pitch!

England were dominant in the first half  but the Italians hit back and we lost Luke Shaw to took bookable offences in less than 60 seconds before recording our first win in 62 years.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini sent onGianluca Scamacca as a late substitute but the Hammers striker had little time to make an impact or find an added-time equaliser.

For Rice, it was his third goal on his 40th appearance for England, while Scamacca was earning his tenth cap for Italy.

England’s win avenged their penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley and takes them top of Group C alongside North Macedonia, who defeated Malta 2-1.

The fifth country in the group, Ukraine, will visit London on Sunday for England’s second of eight qualifiers ahead of next summer’s tournament in Germany. Italy make the short trip to Malta on the same evening.