England were relegated from the elite division of the UEFA Nations League tonight after a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Milan.
The Three Lions are guaranteed to finish bottom of League A: Group 3 with the defeat, having gone five matches without a win.
After a drab first half of few chances,
Giacomo Raspadori’s stunning strike in the 68th minute ensured England have endured their worst streak without victory since 2014.
Raspadori earned the big win by producing instant control and a fierce right-foot finish which gave goalkeeper Nick Pope, in for the injured Jordan Pickford, no chance.
Gareth Southgate’s side have now not scored in open play in more than 450 minutes, which is England’s worst run in 22 years.
England will play in the second-tier League B next year.
In the group’s other game tonight, Hungry shocked hosts Germany 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
Adam Szalai scored Hungary’s goal in the 17th minute to take them to the top of the group with 10 points, two ahead of second-placed Italy.
Germany are in third place with six points and out of the race for top spot and a place in the finals. England are bottom with just two points from five games.
The group winners will be decided on Monday night when Hungary host Italy.
Meanwhile, in a World Cup tune-up friendly tonight in France, one of Africa’s representatives Ghana were well beaten by five-time champions Brazil.
Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison scored twice and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos netted the other goal as Brazil won 3-0 against the team that eliminated Nigeria in the playoffs for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Earlier in the day, another team set to represent Africa in Qatar, Cameroon, surprisingly lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan.
