Struggling England relegated from Nations League as World Cup problems mount

England suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Nations League’s top tier after a lacklustre defeat to Italy that raises further concern ahead of the imminent World Cup.

Among the favourites to triumph in Qatar having reached the semi-finals four years ago and the Euro 2020 final, things have gone awry for Gareth Southgate’s side of late.

The Three Lions failed to win any of their four June fixtures and produced a meek response to their 4-0 Molineux mauling against Hungary, with Giacomo Raspadori sealing Roberto Mancini’s Italy a 1-0 victory on Friday.

A fifth straight match without a win means Southgate’s side have been relegated from Group A of the Nations League – a competition they finished third in three years ago – with a game to spare.

Midfielder Declan Rice tried to remain upbeat, telling Channel 4: "It's obviously disappointing. Every tournament we go into, we set out to win. In the Nations League we have slipped below our standards but I didn't think it was all bad tonight.

"It's coming. It was a much better performance than we saw in the summer.

"It's not that we're not creating the chances. I see it in training. There are goals for fun. Trust me, we are going to be good."

Demotion is embarrassing but the performance is arguably of more concern given it is just 59 days until their World Cup opener against Iran.

The Euro 2020 finalists had played out a forgettable goalless draw behind closed doors in June and the first half in Milan somehow managed to be even more dreary as England toiled against the absentee-hit Azzurri.

Defeat for the #ThreeLions in Italy. pic.twitter.com/189XnVvIDq

It did not get any better from the visitors’ perspective as Italy, who will not be in Qatar, kept them at bay and secured