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Played
February 8, 2011 2:00 PM GMT
Stadio Castellani - Empoli
Referee: Mateu Lahoz (SPA)
February 8, 2011 2:00 PM GMT
Stadio Castellani - Empoli
Referee: Mateu Lahoz (SPA)
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Italy Under-21s 1-0 England Under-21s: Late Federico Macheda Penalty Wins It For Hosts As Ben Mee Sees Red
Game of few chances comes to life in frantic final 10 minutes
By Stephen Darwin
England Under 21s were beaten by Italy Under 21s in Tuesday's friendly in Empoli as Manchester United youngster Federico Macheda scored from the penalty spot after Ben Mee was shown a straight red card for a foul on Niccolo Giannetti.
It was the home side that created the first goalscoring opportunities of the match as first Roberto Soriano blazed over the bar after good work from Roma's Marco D'Alessandro before England goalkeeper Frank Fielding did well to parry a Gianvito Misuraca half-volley over the top.
As both sides struggled to create, Three Lions boss Stuart Pearce was forced into an early change as Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell was withdrawn for Jack Cork after just 12 minutes with what appeared a groin injury.
England were finding it tough to create anything meaningful in front of goal with Marc Albrighton lashing wide just after the half-hour mark as chances were restricted.
James Vaughan then fired over the bar after the ball was lifted across by Arsenal youngster Henri Lansbury although the Crystal Palace loanee was flagged for offside to help spare his blushes after the disappointing finish with his left foot.
With the scores level as the second half got underway, Albrighton was perhaps a little lucky to have escaped punishment after lashing out at Italy left-back Alessandro Crescenzi.
Manchester United striker Macheda, on loan at Sampdoria, then made his first real contribution to the game but could only smash his shot into the side netting after teasing his way past Cork towards the left-hand-side of the penalty area.
Both sides then made changes as England introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jay Rodriguez and Jonny Howson for a trio of debuts at Under 21 level and the former immediately caused havoc with a low cross from the left but the Italians did well to clear.
It took 80 minutes for England to finally test goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio as substitute Scott Sinclair twice forced a save from the 20-year-old Italian keeper.
It would be Italy, however, who would break the deadlock and grab what proved to be the winner late on in the game after Juventus youngster Giannetti was brought down by Mee when through on goal.
The Manchester City man was shown a straight red card and Macheda stepped up from the penalty spot to fire high past Fielding and into the net to hand the hosts the win.
It was the home side that created the first goalscoring opportunities of the match as first Roberto Soriano blazed over the bar after good work from Roma's Marco D'Alessandro before England goalkeeper Frank Fielding did well to parry a Gianvito Misuraca half-volley over the top.
As both sides struggled to create, Three Lions boss Stuart Pearce was forced into an early change as Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell was withdrawn for Jack Cork after just 12 minutes with what appeared a groin injury.
England were finding it tough to create anything meaningful in front of goal with Marc Albrighton lashing wide just after the half-hour mark as chances were restricted.
James Vaughan then fired over the bar after the ball was lifted across by Arsenal youngster Henri Lansbury although the Crystal Palace loanee was flagged for offside to help spare his blushes after the disappointing finish with his left foot.
With the scores level as the second half got underway, Albrighton was perhaps a little lucky to have escaped punishment after lashing out at Italy left-back Alessandro Crescenzi.
Manchester United striker Macheda, on loan at Sampdoria, then made his first real contribution to the game but could only smash his shot into the side netting after teasing his way past Cork towards the left-hand-side of the penalty area.
Both sides then made changes as England introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jay Rodriguez and Jonny Howson for a trio of debuts at Under 21 level and the former immediately caused havoc with a low cross from the left but the Italians did well to clear.
It took 80 minutes for England to finally test goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio as substitute Scott Sinclair twice forced a save from the 20-year-old Italian keeper.
It would be Italy, however, who would break the deadlock and grab what proved to be the winner late on in the game after Juventus youngster Giannetti was brought down by Mee when through on goal.
The Manchester City man was shown a straight red card and Macheda stepped up from the penalty spot to fire high past Fielding and into the net to hand the hosts the win.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
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0 - 2Final
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3 - 1Final
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1 - 1Final
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0 - 0Final
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0 - 1Final
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0 - 0Final
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1 - 1Final
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0 - 0Final
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3 - 0Final
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3 - 0Final
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2 - 1Final
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0 - 0Final
-
0 - 0Final
-
1 - 2Final
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2 - 0Final
-
4 - 2Final
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4 - 2Final
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-Cancelled
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2 - 1Final
-
3 - 0Final
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1(4) - 1(1)Final
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1 - 3Final
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3 - 0Final
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0 - 4Final
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0 - 0Final
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1 - 0Final
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-Cancelled
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1 - 1Final
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5 - 0Final
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ashraf Nu'man Alfawaghra Midfielder Al Faisaly Amman |
4 | 1 |
|
Andreas Cornelius Striker Copenhagen |
4 | 1 |
|
Mikael Forssell Striker HJK Helsinki |
3 | 1 |
|
Fred Striker Fluminense |
3 | 0 |
|
Felipe Caicedo Striker Lokomotiv |
3 | 0 |
