VAR controversy as England denied win over Italy

A controversial late penalty from Lorenzo Insigne, awarded by VAR, denied England victory over Italy at Wembley.

After a dozy start, in which John Stones presented two chances to Ciro Immobile, England started to play with confidence in possession and especially on the counter-attack.

Jamie Vardy gave them the lead in the 26th minute, smashing home a rising drive after a quick free-kick from Jesse Lingard.

England played some bright, sophisticated football, particularly coming out of defence, and dominated most of the second half before a late Italy rally.

The visitors were rewarded when debutant James Tarkowski was eventually adjudged to have fouled substitute Federico Chiesa in the penalty area, with the referee changing his mind after consulting VAR. Lorenzo Insigne smashed an emphatic spot kick past Jack Butland.

It was a frustrating end for England but only slightly tarnishes a good international break that will give them plenty of encouragement going into the World Cup.

Is VAR going to ruin the World Cup? There was no consensus over whether the referee was correct to overrule his own decision and give a penalty to Italy. Some people thought VAR worked perfectly; others thought England were hard done by. One thing’s for sure: if a team concedes a late equaliser from a VAR overrule at the World Cup, they are unlikely to grin and bear it.

Raheem Sterling (England): Full of waspish menace for England, particularly on the counter-attack. He also got his head up and picked out some clever passes, most notably when Ashley Young almost made it 2-0 in the second half. He looks a certain starter for England at the World Cup.

England: Butland 6, Walker 7, Stones 6, Tarkowski 7, Trippier 7, Dier 7, Young 6, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Lingard 7, Sterling 8, Vardy 7. Subs: Rose 5, Henderson 6, Lallana 6, Cook 6, Rashford 5.

Italy: Donnarumma 6, Zappacosta 6, Bonucci 8, Rugani 7, De Sciglio 7, Pellegrini 6, Jorginho 7, Parolo 6, Candreva 7, Immobile 5, Insigne 7. Subs: Gagliardini 6, Chiesa 7, Bellotti 7.

3’ - CHANCE! Another chance for Immobile! Stones dithers on the ball just outside his own area, pausing to admire his own technique, and loses the ball. Immobile moves into the box and is about to shoot when Stones makes a desperate and excellent recovery tackle.

26’ - GOAL! England 1-0 Italy (Vardy). Vardy smashes England into the lead. Lingard took a quick free-kick to find Vardy, who took the ball in his stride and hammered a rising shot past Donnarumma.

54’ - BRILLIANT BLOCK! That was fine play from England. The superb Sterling, on the left of the box, picked out a perfect pass to Young, who slalomed past his man and whacked a low shot that was crucially blocked by the stretching Bonucci.

86’ - PENALTY TO ITALY! The referee looks at VAR and Tarkowski is penalised for stepping on Chiesa's foot. I think that's pretty soft.

87’ GOAL! England 1-1 Italy (Insigne pen). Insigne slams an emphatic penalty into the bottom left corner. England aren't happy at all.

England conceded their first goal in 624 minutes of football.

Lewis Cook became the first Bournemouth player to represent England when he appeared as substitute.

Jamie Vardy's goal was his first for England since he scored against Lithuania in March 2017.