England 2-2 Italy
UEFA European U17 Championship
Elite Qualifying Round
28 March 2006
England were left to rue a host of missed chances after substitute Michele Marconi denied the Three Lions a deserved win with a stunning late strike.
However, spirits will be high for the next two matches, with Bulgaria and Russia, as John Peacock's side put on an entertaining show for the watching Huddersfield crowd.
As you will see from watching the video highlights, England have several attacking talents to keep an eye on in the future, with Daniel Sturridge in particular showing great skill and courage.
After going behind on 24 minutes, England battled back and were on course for victory after two excellent goals from Jake Thomson.
However, England should have scored more, with Febian Brandy and Josh Walker going close in the second half.
Daniel Sturridge was inches away from putting England 3-1 up but was left cursing the crossbar before the game reached a dramatic climax.
With six minutes remaining, Marconi, who came on at half-time, sent a magnificent curling effort past the sprawling David Button from the edge of the box to hand Italy a share of the spoils.
On a cold and blustery evening at Huddersfield's impressive Galpharm Stadium, it was England who had the first chance of the game in the ninth minute.
Daniel Sturridge, the Manchester City forward, cut in from the right touchline and shot at the near post, but Italy goalkeeper Edoardo Pazzagli was equal to the task and saved comfortably.
Italy responded by creating an opening moments later. Jack Cork's attempted clearance only went as far as Mattia Mustacchio who headed goalwards but Button made a simple stop.
It was a sign of things to come, but not before England had gone even closer in the 22nd minute.
The excellent Thomson jinked in from the touchline before unleashing a powerful drive from 20 yards which was destined for the far corner.
Pazzagli had other ideas, however, flinging himself full-stretch to his right to pull off a stunning save. Sturridge pounced on the rebound but could not turn it goalwards.
Italy took the lead on the 24th minute with a goal that would have annoyed England coach John Peacock, who watched the action from the main stand.
Cork lost possession after striding forward which allowed Italy to spread the ball out wide to the vacant space on the left flank.
Mustacchio drifted past the recovering Cork and drilled straight at Button, but the England keeper let the ball slip through his fingers, much to the delight of the visiting coaching staff.
But, before the Italy bench had sat down after celebrating, England went forward and equalised a minute later. Thomson, a constant threat, showed great composure to calmly shoot past the exposed Pazzagli.
It got even better for Thomson and England in the 27th minute. Sturridge played a superb pass to Thomson galloping down the line. The Southampton youngster showed great feet to wriggle free of his marker before slotting home his second of the evening.
The Three Lions continued to create openings after the break.
After Italy skipper Massimiliano Tagliani had earned the first yellow card of the evening by scything down Scott Sinclair on the edge of the box in the 49th minute, the hardworking Josh Walker curled the resulting free-kick agonisingly over the bar, the ball eventually nestling on top of the net.
Brandy was unfortunate not to add a third four minutes later when he burst into the box. But Pazzagli, sensing the danger, rushed off his line to block the shot.
Walker then blasted another effort just wide from 30 yards as England continued to dominate.
Peacock's young stars were the width of the woodwork away from making the game safe in the 68th minute.
Scott Sinclair, whose twinkling toes prompted Chelsea to sign him from Bristol Rovers, gave further evidence of his talents by ghosting past his marker before pulling the ball back to Sturridge.
England's number nine shifted the ball onto his left foot and beat Pazzagli, but watched in despair as the ball rebounded off the bar.
But England could not capitalise on their dominance and were stunned by Marconi's wonderful equaliser.
Earlier in the evening, Russia, who meet England on Saturday at Scunthorpe, had thrashed Bulgaria 5-0.
England: D Button, J Cork, J Tomkins, C Clark, R Bertrand, J Thomson (Molyneux 74), J Walker, J Chandler (Wright 78), S Sinclair, F Brandy, D Sturridge.
Subs: M Richards, M Nardiello, N Porritt, P Rogers, B Amos.
Goals: Thomson 25, 27
Italy: E Pazzagli, C Cafiero (Albertazzi 41), M Darmian, M Gentili, M Tagliani, M Eramo, V Triarico, A Poli, C Pasquato (Marconi 41), M Mocciocini (Maritato 56), M Mustacchio.
Subs: E Corradini, F Casarini, F Bolzoni.
Goals: Mustacchio 24, Marconi 74
Referee: M Strombergsson.
Attendance: 5,165