Late Italian penalty takes wind out of England sails

The hosts, using the four-times world champions as a high-profile audition for the World Cup finals, had looked on course for a notable scalp after Jamie Vardy thumped them ahead in the 26th minute.

Yet England were denied when substitute Federico Chiesa went down under a challenge from England debutant James Tarkowski late on and, after a lengthy delay, the Video Assistant Referee decided Italy should have a penalty.

To boos all around Wembley Insigne fired the spot kick home past the diving Jack Butland who had previously had very little opportunity to make a case for starting in Russia.

Insigne’s assured strike ended a run of three matches without a goal for the Italians who are in rebuild mode after failing to qualify for the finals in Russia.

It was the first goal England had conceded in six matches — a run that included 0-0 draws with Germany and Brazil and last week’s assured 1-0 victory against the Netherlands.

Italy arrived at Wembley in the doldrums after becoming the biggest casualties of the qualifying campaign.

England, on the other hand, are looking forward to a summer campaign in Russia with quiet optimism after steady progress under the thoughtful stewardship of Gareth Southgate.

There are still questions to answer, however, and John Stones did his best to undermine the growing confidence in England’s defence with a sloppy opening in which he twice almost allowed Ciro Immobile to score.

First he played Immobile onside but the striker failed to react quickly enough and then Stones dallied on the ball in his own area and had his pocket picked by Immobile who again lacked the required sharpness to punish the Manchester City man.

Immobile wasted another chance when he headed over the bar after being left unmarked in the area.

Raheem Sterling was England’s best attacking option with his driving runs causing panic at the heart of Italy’s defence.

He had already carved out a chance for Vardy when he burst forward again only to be bundled over on the edge of the area.

Jesse Lingard took the free kick instantaneously and rolled the ball to Vardy who smashed his shot past Italy’s teenage keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The goal settled England down and they began to assert some control with Ashley Young, given a first start under Southgate, rolling a cross-shot just wide after another Sterling burst.

England were comfortable after the break as Italy lacked any goal threat but the usual raft of substitutions from both sides disrupted what little rhythm the match had.

The Mexican waves were well under way when Italy finished with a late flourish.

Insigne went close with a volley and then Chiesa fell theatrically under the challenge of Burnley defender Tarkowski.

The video replay showed that Chiesa was already on his way down when Tarkowski made contact but referee Deniz Aytekin eventually pointed to the spot and Insigne sent the small Italian contingent in the 82,000 crowd home happy.