Combined with Germany's draw (1-1) in Hungary, this result leaves Gareth Southgate's men with 2 points and the last place in group A3, led precisely by their evening visitors (5 points).

Defender Harry Maguire and striker Harry Kane, after the draw (0-0) conceded against Italy, during their Nations League match, June 11, 2022 at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

Ironically, this remake of the final was the first in an official UEFA competition for England, who therefore had to serve their behind-closed-doors sanction imposed after the serious incidents before the game at Wembley. .

Fans without tickets had managed to force their way through and fights had broken out in the hallways of the stadium.

With only 2,000 young people allowed to enter the stadium, accompanied by a parent, the atmosphere was good-natured but above all cozy.

Feeling that his team had probably run out of juice during the defeat in Hungary (1-0) and the draw in extremis in Germany (1-1), Southgate had changed half of his team.

He notably launched his two "Italians", Fikayo Tomori, the AC Milan defender, and Tammy Abraham, the Roma striker, against players they know well, while Harry Kane started on the bench.

Despite an imperative need to take the 3 points, England struggled to really move the unbrilliant but disciplined Italian block.

The Three Lions still created two huge chances, Mason Mount touching the bar on a clever serve from Raheem Sterling (9th) before the Manchester City player missed the target on a cross a little behind him, while he was alone at the far post and within six meters (52nd).

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma deflects the shot from English midfielder Mason Mount during their Nations League match on June 11, 2022 at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

But the point is ultimately quite logical, the Squadra Azzura having also had some great opportunities.

From the 3rd minute, Davide Frattesi, who had appeared in front of Aaron Ramsdale, preferred to Jordan Pickford for this match, had crossed his shot a little too much.

Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi crosses his shot too much against English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during their Nations League match on June 11, 2022 at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

The Arsenal goalkeeper then made a fine save in front of Matteo Pessina just before the break (43rd) and, in the second half, he judged correctly a shot from Wilfried Gnonto, who had just come into play, which ended up outside of his small net (70th).

In the end, the match will not have learned much that we do not already know about the two teams which are in the running-in phase.

But the reception of Hungary in 3 days, again in Wolverhampton, but this time with a fuller stadium, will be England's last chance to claim first place in the group that will send to the Final Four.

© 2022 AFP