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Italy draws 1-1 against England in international friendly

TURIN (Italy) — Andros Townsend scored a late equaliser as England held Italy to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Juventus Stadium on today (April 1, morning, Singapore time).

Italy v England  International Friendly at Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy. Photo: Reuters

Italy v England International Friendly at Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy. Photo: Reuters

TURIN (Italy) — Andros Townsend scored a late equaliser as England held Italy to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Juventus Stadium on today (April 1, morning, Singapore time).

Substitute Townsend levelled 11 minutes from time to cancel out Graziano Pelle’s first-half opener. England captain Wayne Rooney also hit the bar in a match of few clear-cut chances.

England had won all seven of its matches following a disappointing World Cup but faced its toughest test yet against an Italy team which had made wholesale changes following its own dismal campaign in Brazil.

The match marked the return of Italy coach Antonio Conte to the stadium where he had lifted three successive Serie A titles before sensationally quitting in the summer and the former Juventus manager was given a rousing reception.

England was looking to avenge a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the opening match of the World Cup but both sides started sluggishly.

Rooney failed to make the most of an early opportunity as he slipped in the area, while at the other end Marco Parolo went close to scoring a stunning opener but England goalkeeper Joe Hart was alert to the danger and fingertipped the ball over the bar.

Eder, who had netted on his debut in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bulgaria, also nearly scored but fired a free kick woefully wide of the right upright.

Italy was slowly gaining the upper hand and Phil Jagielka cleared Matteo Darmian’s cross out from inside the six-yard box with Eder waiting.

Giorgio Chiellini headed the resulting corner inches wide.

Harry Kane had scored less than two minutes into his debut against Lithuania after coming on as a substitute but had been kept quiet by Italy on his first start. Kane was involved in England’s first real chance in the 21st minute with a header that was cleared by Leonardo Bonucci but only as far as Rooney, whose deflected effort crashed off the crossbar.

Pelle was on a poor run of form and hadn’t scored in the Premier League since Dec 20, but it was the Southampton striker who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Chiellini easily brushed past Phil Jones on the left and crossed for Pelle’s glancing header into the far bottom corner.

Eder was causing the England defenders no end of trouble and almost helped Italy double its lead with a great run before picking out Alessandro Florenzi out wide — but Pelle just failed to connect with the cross.

England was forced into a substitution at the end of the first half, with Michael Carrick coming on for his injured Manchester United teammate Chris Smalling.

Eder again went close shortly after the break when he went through one-on-one with Hart but was denied by the Manchester City goalkeeper and Pelle fired the rebound off target.

Kieran Gibbs had one of England’s best opportunities but fired Rooney’s cross into the sidenetting, shortly after Kane had done the same thing.

England was getting more into the match and Rooney had a good effort saved by Gianluigi Buffon before just failing to meet Kane’s low ball across the face of goal.

The visitors levelled in the 79th minute with a fine 22.86m strike from Townsend into the left side of goal. The Tottenham winger had come off the bench nine minutes earlier.

Rooney could have won it for England while Luca Antonelli also went close late on as he burst into the box before seeing his effort whistle past the right post. AP

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