Maccarone drives Italy on

The deadly eye of Massimo Maccarone has put new impetus behind Italy's drive to retain the UEFA European Under-21 Championship crown and rendered England's final game with Portugal in Group 1 a winner-takes-all affair.

Vital victory
England had fought their way back into last night's game having fallen behind to Maccarone's first example of sharp-shooting but they had no second answer when the striker produced a wonderful follow-up goal to seal a vital 2-1 victory.

Draw could be enough
It leaves David Platt's team needing to beat Portugal in Zürich on Wednesday to gain a semi-final place although a draw will be enough as long as Switzerland do not surprise Italy in Basel.

Italian flair
Italy will be full of belief now that they can go on and claim first place in Group 1 and avoid a likely semi-final showdown with France. They deserved their victory over England because they had come close on several occasions and possessed a flair lacking in Platt's team.

Sublime skill
Italian skipper Andrea Pirlo was the most creative force on view and it was he who invited Maccarone to begin dismantling English hopes following a fine low pass early in the second half. The Empoli FC striker's second six minutes from time was all his own work as he first lifted the ball over Chris Riggott with sublime skill before finishing in emphatic fashion.

Platt tribute
It prompted this tribute from Platt: "You could say we were beaten by a great finish but it was also a great touch to put himself in the position to score."

Gentile enjoys performance
Coach Claudio Gentile greatly enjoyed Maccarone's contribution to a performance which enabled Italy to overcome the disappointment of starting the Switzerland tournament with a draw against Portugal. Gentile said his team had rediscovered their "group team spirit" and won the game "in the right way". He was not happy to have defender Daniele Bonera sent off in injury time as tempers flared and the penalty area became a wrestling ring as players contested an England free-kick.

Tactical error
England were out of sorts in the opening period as Platt made what he admitted were tactical errors on his part. They survived unscathed, although Matteo Brighi had a good effort and they were thankful for David Dunn's clearance when Emiliano Bonazzoli's header beat Paul Robinson.

Barry turns supplier
At the other end Zat Knight had seen a 'goal' disallowed because of a push and Paul Konchesky rattled a post with a free-kick. Gareth Barry came close with a header at the start of the second half and it was the Aston Villa FC man, wholly effective having been asked to play in left midfield rather than at the back, who produced the equaliser after Dunn had somehow crashed through four challenges to get in his cross.

No time for disappointment
"I felt very comfortable in the second half and their goals came against the run of play," said Platt. "It is a disappointed dressing room but I've told them we haven't got time to be disappointed because we have another game in two days' time."