da betano casino: The Three Lions might finally end their wait for a major trophy in Germany thanks to their insane attacking riches
da aviator aposta: "Did you enjoy that?" Jude Bellingham asked the Wembley crowd after further strengthening his reputation as the best young player on the planet on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old was once again front and centre as England eased to a 3-1 victory over Italy, running the game from a free midfield role and helping himself to a pair of assists.
Elder statesman – well, compared to Bellingham anyway – Harry Kane delighted the home crowd too, smashing home a penalty and converting a one-on-one either side of half-time, with Marcus Rashford getting the other goal for the Three Lions.
It was a satisfying way to rubberstamp their progression to Euro 2024. Although the display was not perfect, the attacking performance sent a timely reminder to the rest of the continent that England possess so many different ways to hurt teams in the final third, and fans should reasonably expect their side to properly challenge for the trophy in Germany.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Wembley…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Jude Bellingham
After being stunned by Scamacca's early opener, England were reeling for much of the first half. Luckily, their golden boy had the character to drag his side out of their slump.
Bursting into the box from midfield in a fashion we've grown accustomed to since his big-money transfer to Real Madrid, Bellingham was brought down by Gianluca Di Lorenzo, with referee Clement Turpin pointing straight to the spot.
Immediately after Kane had converted from 12 yards, the Stourbridge-born teenager pleaded with the Wembley crowd to step up the noise. He knew this was just the start.
Early in the second half he looped the ball over an opponent and burst from midfield yet again, before finding Rashford in fine fashion and creating the space his team-mate needed to score with an intelligent run. He even started pulling out humiliating flicks and feints once England were ahead. An utterly fearless performance from an irresistible footballer and personality.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Raheem Sterling
Poor old Sterling. After being shockingly left out of Southgate's squad despite a pretty electric start to the season with Chelsea, he could have done with his direct rival, Rashford, having a tough night.
But the Manchester United man, who's been in poor form at club level, would not play ball, scoring an excellent goal in the second half to further cement his place in his international manager's good books.
It's a blow for Sterling's hopes of starting at the Euros, but all he can focus on in the short term is continuing what he's been doing at Stamford Bridge. Do that and he'll surely be back battling Rashford for a spot on the left in the November international break.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Kalvin Phillips
Southgate has made a habit of backing his most trusted lieutenants through shaky spells of Premier League form. But even by the England boss' lofty standards of forgiveness, selecting Phillips against Italy was a bit of a shock.
The midfielder has barely played a competitive game since joining Manchester City in summer 2022 and looked a little rusty to start out under the Wembley lights, picking up an early caution for a sloppy challenge.
Phillips was principally tasked with filling the gaps vacated by the buccaneering Bellingham, though he find himself higher up the pitch when the Three Lions went man-to-man in their press.
Look, he wasn't perfect, but he didn't need to be. All that was required tonight was to show Southgate he can still do a job, as it's pretty clear that the manager wants to start him this summer – particularly with the Jordan Henderson saga showing no sign of dying down.
A January escape from his nightmare City spell would be welcomed, but even if he does stay at the Etihad, coming away from Tuesday's game it was hard to imagine Phillips not playing a significant role at Euro 2024.
Getty ImagesLOSERS: Fikayo Tomori & Eddie Nketiah
If Tomori doesn't laugh, he'll cry. The former Chelsea man showed tremendous courage when he opted to move to Italy back in 2021.
Since then, he's done everything he can to force his way into Southgate's plans, starring for an AC Milan side that won Serie A in his first full season at the club before reaching the Champions League semi-finals last campaign.
And yet, against Italy, he wasn't even named in the matchday squad. He watched on as Maguire – a player who's been so far off his best for so long – started another game from the Three Lions.
Nketiah had a weaker case for inclusion, with Ollie Watkins making the most of his opportunity against Australia. However, with Ivan Toney returning to the fray in January, the Arsenal man might have a decision to make over his international future soon; he is also eligible for Ghana.