Outrageous skill by Carney Chukwuemeka to find a team-mate inside the box before the ball drifts harmlessly into the arms of AC Milan keeper Sebastiano Desplanches.

Another England pass fails to meet its intended target. The Young Lions are struggling to hit the heights of previous performances.

There's a break in play to allow both sets of players to take in some refreshments. It allows Ian Foster a chance to give his players some instructions.

A scrappy passage of play.

Neither side can string a decent pass together.

The intense heat is not helping. It's energy-sapping.

That's better!

A lovely move by the Young Lions and Harvey Vale is at the centre of it.

The skipper sends a cross into the danger area which is headed behind for a corner.

England have not offered much going forward. It's far too comfortable for their opponents who have had three attempts on target and are bossing possession.

Italy look dangerous each time they attack. Good defensive work by Peterborough's Ronnie Edwards to turn a dangerous cross into the box behind for a corner.

Almost a chance for England after Harvey Vale does well to win possession and set up a chance for Aaron Ramsey but the Villa man cannot take advantage.

A real test of character for the Young Lions now. They haven't been behind before at these Euros. That was a poor penalty to concede and Italy have taken full advantage.

An incredible passage of play.

England go close through Aaron Ramsey who is denied by keeper Sebastiano Desplanches from close range.

Italy respond but Matthew Cox keeps out Giuseppe Ambrosino before Brooke Norton-Cuffy carelessly fouls Fabio Miretti inside the box.

A gift for Italy.

There's a break in play as an Italian player goes down and requires treatment. Several England players take advantage by taking in some liquid refreshment. It's hot out there.

By the way, Tim Iroegbunam was booked for the foul that led to the free-kick. He's going to have to be careful for the next 85 minutes or so. England are enjoying a spell of possession but they are struggling to carve out a chance.

Untidy by England who give away a dangerous free-kick just outside the box following Tim Iroegbunam's foul.

Fabio Miretti bends the set-piece over the wall and it requires a strong hand by Brentford's Matthew Cox to turn it behind.

Aaron Ramsdale and Mason Mount were in the side when England last won this tournament in 2017.

Steady start by the Young Lions who come into this with confidence sky high.

For a lot of these players, this is the biggest match of their young lives.

Away we go after a false start. England's players took the knee after the referee blew the whistle. Italy's players didn't.

Italy win the battle of the national anthems. Their players belted it out with pride. England need to practice.

England

Aston Villa's Carney Chukwuemeka and Tottenham's Alfie Devine scored as the Young Lions started with a 2-0 win against Austria.

They followed that up with a crushing 4-0 victory over Serbia - Tottenham's Dane Scarlett (2), Sheffield United's Daniel Jebbison and Chukwuemeka all scoring.

And they continued their winning form with a 1-0 success over Isreal thanks to a goal by Manchester City's Liam Delap.

Beat Italy and they will be in the final of the competition they last won in 2017. We're moments away from kick-off.

England

Will any of this side feature for England's senior team at the 2026 World Cup?

Gareth Southgate has sent a good luck message to the Young Lions before facing Italy.

They won all three group games against Austria, Serbia and Israel without conceding to reach the semi-finals.

"This is a wonderful platform and Gareth spoke to the players before we left, and he’s been messaging since," Ian Foster, England Under-19s boss, said.

"It’s just nice when I can stand in front of the players and say I’ve had a message from Gareth, saying, ‘Congratulations, you’re playing particularly well, keep going.’ It’s great for the players. They know Gareth’s watching them."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Italy

Italy were hammered 4-1 in their last game by France but advanced to the semi-finals as runners-up in a group that also contained hosts Slovakia and Romania.

They have had an extra day to prepare for this. Will they make it count?