England can already see a path to glory at Euro 2024. If that sounds like the usual triumphalism then consider how mature Gareth Southgate’s team looked during the first 45 minutes in Naples on Thursday night. There was a boldness to England, an easy balance in midfield, invention and incision in attack, and Italy could have had no complaints if the game had been over as a contest at half-time.
The defending European champions – the team who broke England’s hearts at the last Euros – were lucky not to be 3-0 down. There was a glaring miss from Jack Grealish, who passed up an open goal moments after Harry Kane had become his country’s record goalscorer, and a constant sense that England were too quick, physical and talented for the Italians, particularly with Jorginho and Marco Verratti looking too old to compete with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield.
