England Under-21s' disappointing European Championship campaign ended in misery as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Italy Under-21s at Ander Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Young Lions started brightly, and Harry Kane almost profited from Nathan Redmond's teasing delivery early on before John Stones was alert to thwart Alessio Romagnoli inside the first 10 minutes.
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Kane then linked up neatly with Danny Ings on 13 minutes, but the new Liverpool striker could only flash his strike just wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.
Andrea Belotti opened the scoring on 25 minutes when he lobbed the ball over Jack Butland from inside the area after some sloppy marking of a free kick.
The Italians doubled their advantage almost immediately when Marco Benassi was afforded plenty of room before finishing the move off, despite the best efforts of Ben Gibson.
England's response was a good one, and Kane fired in a long-range effort that forced Italian goalkeeper Francesco Bardi into action, after Redmond had earlier brought out a save on 41 minutes.
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Jesse Lingard almost reduced the deficit early on in the second half, but the midfielder could only fire wide after working space for the shot with some neat footwork.
Belotti should have made it 3-0 on the hour mark when he fired straight at Butland in the England goal when well placed.
However, the Azzurri finally claimed their third when Benassi headed home a cross to put paid to Gareth Southgate's side's hopes of progressing into the semi-finals.
Norwich City winger Redmond reduced the deficit inside stoppage time but it was too little too late for the Young Lions.
Paul Gorst
Spain U21s
