England substitute Andros Townsend fired home a superb late goal to earn a 1-1 draw against Italy in a fiercely contested international friendly in Turin on Tuesday.
Townsend struck in the 79th minute by rifling an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from 20 metres to give England a deserved result at the Juventus stadium.
Italy had taken the lead on the half-hour through Graziano Pelle’s deft header after defender Giorgio Chiellini waltzed around Phil Jones and provided a precise cross from the left.
It was Pelle’s second goal in his three appearances for the Azzurri, although the striker has failed to score a Premier League goal for his club Southampton since December.
It didn’t seem like a friendly. It was a high-paced match
“It didn’t seem like a friendly,” Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci told Rai TV. “It was a high-paced match. We let the win slide through our fingers but Townsend scored a fantastic goal.”
Antonio Conte’s side dominated the first half by pressing when England had possession and quickly attacking with crisp, short passes once they won the ball.