England 1-2 Italy

UEFA European Under-21 Championships
Basel

England Under-21s lose 2-1 to Italy in their second European Championship group game

A mouth-watering goal from Italy's Massimo Maccarone was too good for England as David Platt's Under 21s went down 2-1 in their second group game of the UEFA Under 21 Championships in Basel.

The strike six minutes from time was the cherry on the cake of a lively clash between two good sides and has surely secured the goal of the championship for the bald Italian.

Looking remarkably like a young Telly Savalas, Maccarone - who made his full international debut against England at Elland Road in March - graciously caressed the ball as it fell from the sky and in one move left Chris Riggott for dead before sending his rocket-like shot with his second touch into the top corner giving Paul Robinson no chance.

At that stage England were looking good for the draw, but the goal rocked the Lions and they must now pick up something from the remaining game against Portugal to give them hope of going through to the semis.

In a thrilling first forty-five England were unlucky not to go in leading at the break.

Fulham giant Zat Knight was closing in on the back post as he connected with Paul Konchesky's left sided cross and looped over Pelizzoli's head. However the referee's whistle halted the celebrations - and the tannoy booming out a song - as Knight was adjudged to have fouled a defender.

Moments earlier David Platt's side could have found themselves a goal down when a Bonazolli header from a Pirlo corner was cleared from the line by captain David Dunn.

Italy started brightly with swift attacks down the right, Marchioni regularly causing problems. But it was the Empoli striker Maccarone who caught the eye and should have put the Azzuri in the lead after 12 minutes. But his fierce left foot strike from 18 yards fizzed past the post.

Italy continued to impose themselves but the young Lions held strong and managed to restrict the Italian's chances though Maccarone did come close again, but his effort followed a similar route past the upright.

Konchesky almost found the net too on 35 minutes when his free-kick just outside the box caught Pelizzoli off guard, but the ball slammed the upright and the danger was gone.

After the break England took the game to the Italians and were unfortunate to find themselves a goal down after 58 minutes. Maccarone was again too hot for Riggott as he wriggled past the Derby man and stabbed the ball under Robinson.

But England were level six minutes later. David Dunn used his strength and nifty footwork to go past two defenders on the right and he delivered an tempting cross to the far post which Gareth Barry met with his left foot which drilled the ball low into the corner.

Five minutes later Italy introduce substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta and with his first touch he tested Robinson as the Leed's stopper was forced to produce his best to keep the scores level.

England began to see much of the ball, but they failed to break down the resilient defence, while at the other the dangerous Azzuri forwards looked more likely to make the breakthrough.

And then on 85 minutes they did, as Maccarone was as ruthless as a James Bond villain striking a lightening bolt in the top corner.

Platt's side then went all out for the equaliser as first Pennant the Zamora came on, but the goal didn't come and the advantage gained from Bonera's dismissal for an off the ball scuffle in injury time wasn't enough to aid England. Claudio Gentile's Italy take the three points away from the Saint Jakob Stadium and move to the top of the Group A with what can only be described as an absolute screamer worthy of winning any match.

England: Robinson, Young, Konchesky, Davis, Barry (Zamora 87), Dunn, Riggott, Prutton (Pennant 85), Smith, Knight, Crouch (Defoe 45)

Referee: Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez (ESP)