Substitute Andros Townsend’s late stunner cancelled out Graziano Pelle’s opener as Italy and England shared the spoils in an evenly-matched friendly in Turin.
The contest epitomised a game of two halves, with the Italians dominating the first period and duly leading through Southampton striker Pelle’s deft headed finish after half an hour.
England stepped up their game drastically after the break and fully deserved their equaliser after 79 minutes through Townsend’s emphatic right-footed finish from just outside the Italian box.
England captain Wayne Rooney and Italy substitute Luca Antonelli spurned chances to win the game late on, but the draw meant England’s record against Italy reads just one win in their last seven encounters.
In the first meeting between the nations since Italy’s 2-1 victory in the World Cup group stages, Pelle and strike partner Eder were causing the fragile England defence problems in the early minutes.
England were distinctly off the pace but nearly went ahead against the run of play as Rooney’s deflected effort came back off Gianluigi Buffon’s crossbar after 20 minutes.
Pelle, who hasn’t registered a Premier League goal for the Saints in 2015, then put the hosts in front with a deftly-executed header after Giorgio Chiellini shrugged off the attentions of Phil Jones far too easily.
The visitors improved after the break, particularly when Rooney joined Kane up front after Ross Barkley replaced Theo Walcott, and the Spurs striker had a low effort deflected wide by Chiellini after finding a rare opening in the Italian box.
Kane and Rooney then combined again but, when Rooney set up Kieran Gibbs, the Arsenal left back tentatively snatched his shot into the side netting.
England then went route one, but Buffon denied Rooney’s fierce drive from 18 yards after Chiellini had uncharacteristically misjudged the flight of the ball.
After a series of changes by both teams, it was a substitute who made the difference for the visitors. Townsend, who had replaced Fabian Delph, found space 20 yards out and unleashed a venomous right-footed strike into the far corner to level proceedings with 11 minutes remaining.
Buffon then denied Rooney with his feet almost immediately before Antonelli nearly pounced after a quick break by the hosts, but ultimately a draw was a fair result after an inconsistent display from both teams.
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