England defeated Italy 3-1 at home in a Group C match on Wednesday (18), locking up a place in next year's final two rounds ahead of schedule. Although England's performance was not spectacular, the attacking duo of Halikani and Zudibinimhan ignited the game and became the winning force for the Three Lions. After the game, the team leader Xiu Fu Ji directly pointed out that these two people will be the key to England's next year to compete for the championship.
In a battle that was a carbon copy of the last European Cup final, England fell behind in the opening 15 minutes to a low shot from close to goal by Schickamaka, but they quickly turned the game around. Halikani, often behind the ball, made way for Zuidi Binningham at center forward, who went down on a break down the middle in the 32nd minute and Halikani took a 12-yard penalty to make it 1-1.
After England went one goal back, it was another great performance by Zudi Binningham, as the Real Madrid star's tackling, ball control and pinpoint passing at the back created an opportunity for a counterattack by Lashford, who lived up to his name to extend the lead to 2-1. In the 77th minute, Halikani scored again to seal the final score at 3-1. England won five and drew one of their six matches in Group C. England secured first place in the group, advancing to the final week of the UEFA Europa League for the fourth consecutive time.
Zudi Binningham had an outstanding game, with the highest number of successful crosses, interceptions and fouls, and was awarded the Player of the Match after the game; Harry Carney, who scored two goals, also set a record as England's all-time "King of Scorers", racking up 24 goals at Wembley Stadium, surpassing Bobby Charlton's 23 to become the highest scoring player in the history of Wembley. Wembley's 24 goals, surpassing Bobby Charlton's 23 to become the highest goal scorer in Wembley's history.
