Quite simply, Italy, now 34 games unbeaten, are further ahead of where England stand now. For a fleeting moment – and initially for 65 minutes in which England led – it was possible to talk in the present. England scored, from their first attack. But it was easier in some respects that England scored first instead of Italy because the Italians would have tried everything to absorb time for 90 minutes! There followed a 20 minute spell when England had Italy reeling.

Source: Daily Mail July 11, 2021 22:00 UTC