England make their return to international football for the first time since they were knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stages by France in Doha, Qatar. They kickstart their qualification for the European Championships in 2024 in Germany, where the side will look to win a first major trophy since 1966.
The last final they reached happened to be in the Euros and they start their qualification against the side that beat them in the final in 2021 in Italy. The Azzurri didn't feature in the World Cup in December after they failed to qualify for the competition yet again, with Roberto Mancini tasked with turning that form around.
The meeting between the two sides could set up the rest of the process of qualifying, with Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta the other sides in the group. At the tie at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, fans were baffled by a showing in the build-up to the clash.
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The national anthems were bizarre as the rendition of "God save the King" saw plenty of lyrics missed as well as some parts being sung off the beat of the song. The Italian anthem also caused plenty of confusion, with fans taking to social media to question the display they saw.
@tonguetweets: "A moment for those anthems please."
@Frimpon: "Nah why did the Italian national anthem get a drum and bass revamp."
@mattddawson: "I think those anthems have to be in contention for some of the worst I’ve ever seen performed."
@_emilyoram: "This is all spectacularly embarrassing, my shoulders are up by my ears."
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