Gareth Southgate lavished praise on Jude Bellingham after England sealed qualification for the European Championship finals next summer with two games to spare by beating Italy at home for the first time since 1977.
The former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca’s first international goal had given the reigning European champions a surprise lead inside the first 15 minutes on their first return to Wembley since beating England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final. But Harry Kane’s penalty after Bellingham was brought down in the box soothed any nerves before Marcus Rashford’s brilliant goal – featuring outstanding buildup play between Bellingham and Phil Foden – gave Southgate’s side the lead early in the second half.
