Brilliant England beat Italy to qualify for Euro 2024
Harry Kane of England celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 3-1 during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy
Getty
England have secured their spot in the European Championship in Germany next year, leaving reigning champions Italy still vying for a place.
The result will come as sweet revenge to many England fans, who lost out to Italy in the Euro 2020 final with a 3-1 defeat to the Italians at Wembley.
The first goal was scored by Gianluca Scamacca for the Italians, however, Harry Kane soon equalised from the penalty spot.
Marcus Rashford’s solo effort put England ahead, set up nicely by Jude Bellingham.
England's Marcus Rashford (left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with team-mates Phil Foden and Harry Kane
PA
England’s third goal was secured by Kane, who pierced through the Italian defence.
Kane’s goal extends his England record to 61 goals.
England will travel to Germany in expectation.
The match was Italy’s first return to Wembley since the penalty shootout in 2021 which devastated Gareth Southgate and his team.
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Ukraine moved above Italy into second spot in Group C after coming from behind to win in Malta.
Paul Mbong gave Malta a surprising lead with only their second goal of the qualifying campaign.
Yet a humorous own goal from Ryan Camenzuli pulled Ukraine level before Artem Dovbyk’s penalty and a late strike from Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk secured a 3-1 victory.
Hungary were set to join England in securing a qualifying place for 2024 but drew against Lithuania 2-2.
England's Jack Grealish (left) and Italy's Davide Frattesi battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match at Wembley Stadium
PA
They remain top of Group G, with Serbia a point behind in second after a 3-1 win against Montenegro, who are in third place and five points behind.
Meanwhile, Slovenia and Denmark secured wins to consolidate their places at the top of Group H.
Slovenia’s Adam Cerin’s fifth-minute free-kick beat Northern Ireland 1-0, while Denmark edged to a 2-1 win in San Marino due to goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Yussuf Poulsen.
Kazakhstan, four points behind in third, kept their slim hopes alive with a 2-1 win in Finland.