Summary

  • Striker Harry Kane becomes England's all-time top goalscorer with his 54th goal, breaking Wayne Rooney's record

  • Defender Luke Shaw sent off late in second half for second bookable offence

  • Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the most-capped men's international footballer after starting Portugal's game against Liechtenstein

  • England are in Group C alongside Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta

  1. Byepublished at 22:45 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    That's all from us tonight.

    There's more reaction from Harry Kane on his record-breaking goal here.

    England are back in action on Sunday against Ukraine. See you then!

  2. Tomorrow's fixturespublished at 22:42 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Some absolute doozies among the Friday night Euro 2024 qualifiers. All kick-off times 19.45 GMT unless otherwise stated.

    Group B

    France v Netherlands

    Gibraltar v Greece

    Group E

    Czech Republic v Poland

    Moldova v Faroe Islands

    Group F

    Austria v Azerbaijan

    Sweden v Belgium

    Group G

    Bulgaria v Montenegro (17.00 GMT)

    Serbia v Lithuania

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Tweet #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Lottie W: Gareth Southgate, you absolute legend! What a night to remember for England - the future is looking bright!

  4. Postpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    A big win for England.

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
  5. Read tonight's reportspublished at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men's international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein.

    Michael O'Neill's second spell as manager got off to a winning start as Dion Charles gave Northern Ireland a 2-0 away victory in San Marino.

    Harry Kane became England's all-time record goalscorer as they opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a first victory in Italy since 1961.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:26 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Tweet #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Give Southgate credit for the environment he has fostered over his tenure. The England camp has never been more together. My only concern is his ability to make decisive changes. It looked so obvious that changes needed to be made after an hour, even if just to take off some of those already booked.

    Anon

  7. 'England can take a lot of credit'published at 22:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Paul Robinson
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England can take a lot of credit from this tonight.

    We know Harry Maguire made the mistake that led to the goal but Gareth Southgate is a very positive manager and he'll be keen to focus on that.

  8. How Kane broke the goals recordpublished at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Phil Dawkes
    BBC Sport reporter

    .Image source, Getty Images/BBCSport

    The calm demeanour, the sharp exhale, the run up and clinical finish. It was the same old penalty routine from Harry Kane, only this time time it took him to places no England player has gone before.

    By netting from the spot against Italy, Kane fired himself into the record books, scoring his 54th international goal to surpass Wayne Rooney as England's all-time leading goalscorer.

    Remarkably, Kane has reached the tally in 39 fewer games than it took Rooney, and the 29-year-old's England career includes an ominous strike 79 seconds into his debut, a World Cup Golden Boot and more than a goal a game in major tournament qualifiers.

    Here is when, where and how the Tottenham striker became England's top marksman.

    Read more here.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:16 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

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    Re anon (21:50) "finally beating one of the bigger nations in a competitive game" 2018 Spain, Croatia; 2020 Belgium; 2021 Germany. People are quick to forget how many good results Southgate's team has had. Which is strange considering how few highlights England had for so many years before his appointment.

    John, Devon

  10. Police batons and an offensive bannerpublished at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    A fan who travelled to Naples with an offensive banner about Diego Maradona has had their ticket cancelled by the Football Association.

    An FA spokesperson "strongly condemned" the individual, saying the flag included a "highly offensive message".

    "We immediately took steps to have their ticket cancelled before the match," a statement added.

    Our BBC Sport News colleagues also witnessed police baton charges at queuing, leading to frustrated England fans in the away end after buses arrived at the stadium before kick off.

    Fans complained about the length of time it took to do the 25-minute journey from the city centre to the Stadia Diego Armando Maradona. Some said it took up to 90 minutes.

    One fan was attended to by an ambulance team after being hit by a baton across the head and shoulder. He seemed to be recovering inside the ambulance.

  11. 'I'm just really proud'published at 22:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

    Harry Kane has given a press conference after the game in which he described it as "a really special night".

    "It is the first time England have won in Italy for a long, long time," he added.

    "To be a part of that is amazing. I just want to say a big thanks to all my team-mates, the staff, the fans, my family back home and my wife.

    "Just a really special night for me and a night I will never forget. I'm just really proud.

    "Thank you to everyone in here and everyone who has made this dream a reality."

    There's going to be a special presentation to Kane before the Ukraine game at Wembley on Sunday.

  12. All about Harry Kanepublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Harry Kane has scored in 18 of his last 19 qualifying appearances for major tournaments (World Cup/Euros).

    He’s also England’s all-time leading scorer in European Championship qualifying matches (16 goals).

    He scored five goals in his first 11 England appearances and reached 10 goals in his 20th appearance.

    Kane has scored twice as many goals in matches started as captain as any other player in England’s history, netting 46 goals in 56.

    .Image source, Getty Images

    His most prolific year for England was in 2021, when he scored 16 goals in 16 appearances. That was the most goals ever scored by a Three Lions player in a calendar year.

    He has netted 49 goals in 64 appearances under Gareth Southgate, the most by a player under a single manager in England’s history.

    Only Jimmy Greaves (six) has scored more than the five hat-tricks Kane has netted for England.

    Kane has also scored more penalties than any other player in England’s history, netting 18 times from the spot.

  13. Ronaldo scores twice as he sets men's caps recordpublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Portugal 4-0 Liechtenstein

    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men's international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener.

    The 38-year-old has now scored a men's record 120 international goals.

    He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups.

    Ronaldo added to his goals tally with a second-half penalty before finding the top corner with a free-kick.

    You can read our full match report here.

    Cristiano RonaldoImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'Italy are in transition'published at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Paul Robinson
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    This is the second major rebuild for Roberto Mancini. He's picked a squad of 30 players and we saw the goalscorer Retegui come in.

    Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds looked good when he came on too.

    Mancini is looking to find a balance and rebuild again. They look like a team in transition but as we saw tonight, they can still hurt teams.

  15. 50 wins for Southgatepublished at 21:59 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

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    Despite a poor 2nd half performance, you have to give England credit. Great start to qualifying.

    Al, Heywood

    Awful second half but absolutely superb in the first. Not pretty but got there in the end. Plenty to improve.

    Nick, Kent

  17. 'This means everything'published at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    England

    Harry Kane, speaking to Channel 4 about becoming England's all-time top scorer: "It means everything. I was so excited to put the England shirt on, get back out here and get the campaign started for next year's Euros.

    "It had to be a penalty, and once it hit the back of the net, huge emotion. A magical moment."

    On the wait to take the penalty because of VAR: "I'm pretty used to that now because for a lot of penalties, VAR check it. I just do what I do, picked my spot and put it away.

    "Just a great night, we haven't won in Italy for so long. To score and win is so special.

    The World Cup was a difficult way to end but we spoke this week about getting back to it. We are one of the best teams in Europe. Getting this win shows we are ready for the challenge."

    On Wayne Rooney paying tribute to him: "Big thanks. I was on the pitch when Wayne broke the record. I know what it meant to him and I was so proud of him. I remember when I gave him the boot for breaking the record, he said he would be giving it back to me one day. A special man."

  18. 'It's special for Kane'published at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    FT: Italy 1-2 England

    Former England captain Steven Gerrard on Channel 4: "It's special for him [Harry Kane] and his family, especially after the World Cup heart-break.

    "I'm so pleased for him and all the plaudits that will come his way."

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

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    Being an England fan is finally beating one of the bigger nations in a competitive game and still being a bit disappointed

    Anon

    There’s just no pleasing some England fans - we’ve beaten an Italy side unbeaten in 40+ European qualifiers!!! Believe in Gareth and the Young Lions - they will win us a tournament.

    George, London

  20. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Denmark 3-1 Finland

    Some scorers of note in the Scandi derby tonight.

    A hat-trick for Denmark by Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund, who could be one to watch as the Danes aim to recover from their disappointing World Cup.

    Finland's goal meanwhile was scored by Oliver Antman, which is enjoyable for us Marvel nerds.