England 0-0 Italy

England were able to only draw to draw 0-0 against Italy at Molineux in Gareth Southgate's team remain at the bottom in Nations League Group A3. England had a chance to win it, hitting the crossbar with Mason Mount and seeing Raheem Sterling miss the goal from close the range.

However, Italy had a good price for their point , and it took a huge performance by Aaron Ramsdale to keep the game goalless. He snatched a brilliant save from Sandro Tonali in the opening half, and keeping Roberto Mancini's team in check afterward. The result means that England's chance of progressing to the Nations League in jeopardy. If they finish bottom, it could mean an end to their chances of being relegated. The draw is sufficient for Italy as the team that failed to stop them in penalties in the Wembley final last summer to stay in top position.

There was a spooky atmosphere to the very first England men's international to be played at Molineux in the past 65 years. the few thousand youngsters who were who were invited to fill the lower part in Steve Bull Stand Steve Bull Stand offered high-pitched cheers for the home team throughout the game. Although the motives behind the ban on fans are serious, after the chaos that erupted during the Euro 2020 final between the two teams at Wembley less than a year ago, it created an enjoyable atmosphere, with shrieks of joy as England players showed up to warm up, with just the occasional pantomime boo at the opposition. They were ready to relax.

The players reacted. Italy made an impact in the first minute, when Davide Frattesi may be better off not slither his shot off the far post in to the right. However, England were able to create opportunities to their own during the opening minutes to the match.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was lackadaisical in possession on several occasions and Italy's goalkeeper-captain was involved in one ball intercepted by Tammy Abraham early on that the striker who was assisting Harry Kane up front, was unable to capitalize on. Mount got even closer after exchanging passes with Sterling however his shot from a superb position rattled Donnarumma's crossbar, rather than hitting the net. It was a clever move that was England's most effective chance in the first half however Italy was able to score many of them too.

Ramsdale was given the opportunity to shine. His point-blank save following Giovanni Di Lorenzo found Tonali halfway through the first half seemed as if it was destined to be a winner. Gianluca Scamacca blazed over from six yards. Matteo Pessina's shot needed to be overturned.

England required more points after taking only 1 point in their first two games of the Nations League and looked to be on the brink of a breakthrough when Reece James' brilliant low cross was spotted by Sterling only yards away. However, the forward was able to shoot it into the air. Jack Grealish began to enjoy more freedom to the left side, however Italy continued to be a threat by securing the area he had left with Kieran Trippier in behind him. England's defensive line, in which Fikayo Tomori made his debut was not looking at ease.

Southgate tried to alter the game, just as the team did well against Germany This time he switched towards Harry Kane, Kalvin Phillips, Jarrod Bowen and eventually Bukayo Saka. However, it didn't work. Mancini's team remained steadfast. Italy remain a mystery to him that England can't crack.