A game of two halves in Turin saw Italy control the first and England improve as the second went on. Southampton striker Graziano Pelle headed past Joe Hart after 29 minutes to give the home nation the lead, but it was cancelled out by a late stunner from Tottenham’s Andros Townsend.
Roy Hodgson’s experiment with a diamond midfield may have found it’s saviour with the introduction of Michael Carrick for Chris Smalling just before half-time due to injury. Their Manchester United club-mate Phil Jones was the main beneficiary, struggling in midfield throughout the half.
Italy lined up in their customary 3-5-2 and began the first half the brighter whilst not creating many chances, a routine tip over the bar from Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo’s shot the sum of Joe Hart’s worries.
England fashioned a decent chance in the 20th minute, Harry Kane highlighting his aerial prowess in nodding down Delph’s cross for Rooney to strike via deflection onto the crossbar.
It provided a short-lived spell of pressure and possession for England but Jones was too easily beaten by Giorgio Chiellini cutting onto his right foot. His cross was delicious, and Pelle’s faint touch was enough to guide it into the bottom corner for his second goal in 3 internationals.
The goal didn’t light too many fires under the players, Italy comfortable, England toiled.
The second half began in a more lively fashion, with both teams beginning to show more attacking intent, Eder fired at Hart whose save was nearly undone by Phil Jagielka’s poor clearance. The Saints striker’s shot wide.
However England finally got going with the introduction of Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend, in the 55th and 70th minute respectively, providing the spark in front of the ever-classy Carrick. Barkley’s direct running gravely troubled the Italian midfield. Both Kane and Rooney could have been beneficiaries but both fired straight at Gigi Buffon as England searched for the equaliser.
It was Townsend himself that levelled the game in the 79th minute, making his own space on the edge of the area and unleashing a fierce right footed drive into Buffon’s net – the Tottenham winger scoring his third international goal.
England pushed for the winner but both teams created chances, substitute Luca Antonelli putting a good chance just wide of the post.
It was destined to end a deserved draw however, and these two youthful teams will adjourn until the next round of internationals in June.