England’s 1–0 loss to Italy cemented their placement at the bottom of UEFA Nations League Group 3. The next campaign, England falls back to the second tier of the competition.
It was a brutal performance from much of the Three Lions. Despite facing a team from Italy that many believe to be among the weakest in the team’s relative history, England failed to make anything work. Aside from a few headers from Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, England never really tested Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Of course, Italy was not exactly full of opportunities. So it’s no surprise that Italy’s only goal of the game came with such brilliance. Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori received a 50-yard pass from Leonardo Bonucci like a pillow. He then created a glimmer of space with Eric Dier before wrapping the ball at Nick Pope’s far post. It was a goal out of nowhere, but it was enough to unseat England.
England relegated in the UEFA Nations League
Perhaps the most telling story of the game, and of England’s overall Nations League campaign, is the lack of goals. England have just one goal in five games played in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. That goal came from a penalty to save a point on matchday two in Germany. That, against seven goals conceded, although four against Hungary in an impressive display, condemned the three lions.
Scraper curler! ????
Italy takes advantage over England 1-0 ????????@Fubotv pic.twitter.com/BPHSG5jDHW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 23, 2022
Hungary’s four-goal explosion against England on matchday four could prove pivotal on its own. The Hungarians, by far the underdogs in a group consisting of England, Germany and Italy, sit top of the group going into Monday’s final matchday. Hungary stunned the Germans on Friday with a 1-0 victory in Leipzig. Hungary now have 10 points with a clear path to the UEFA Nations League finals.
Hungary goes there with a win or a draw, as Italy sits two points behind the Hungarians. It remains to be seen what will turn out to be a bigger story at the end of this group stage: Hungary will finish much better than England, Germany and possibly Italy, or England’s more than poor play throughout the competition.
With a World Cup just around the corner, it is more than surprising that the two teams that struggle the most are among the favorites for the World Cup.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Marco Canoniero
