Kane sets scoring record in England's 2-1 win over Italy

NAPLES, Italy: Harry Kane broke Wayne Rooney’s national team scoring record and England held on for a 2-1 win at Italy on the opening night of European Championship qualifying on Thursday. It was a small measure of revenge for England against the team it lost to in the European Championship final two years ago. Italy also won the last meeting in September in the Nations League.

It marked England’s first win over Italy in a competitive match since a World Cup qualifier at Wembley back in 1977 — and its first away win over Italy since 1961. “We haven’t won in Italy for so long," Kane said. “To score and win the game is special.” It was another blow to an Italy squad that had failed to qualify for a second straight World Cup.

“We knew it was a difficult game, but we conceded two goals from two corners,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. “The first half was tougher, obviously. But we dominated the second half and tried to get at least a draw, which I think would have been a fair result.

It’s disappointing, but there’s a long road ahead. “We might be starting with an uphill struggle this time, but let’s hope we end it better.” Kane earned and converted a penalty toward the end of the first half for his 54th goal with England after Declan Rice’s opener at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. “It means everything,” Kane said.

“It had to be a penalty of course and once it hit the back of the net it was just so much emotion.” Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui pulled one back for Italy on his debut early in the second half. England played the final 12 minutes with 10 men after Luke Shaw picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Retegui. Also in Group C, North Macedonia beat Malta 2-1.