(VAR) denied England Victory.

Referee Consult VAR

England were denied a second successive friendly victory by a late Italy penalty awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's side were good value for a lead given to them by Jamie Vardy's powerful 26th-minute finish, fired past keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after Jesse Lingard's quickly taken free-kick caught the visitors out.

England were fortunate to escape some defensive lapses, especially when Ciro Immobile headed over in the first half - but looked to be closing out a confidence-boosting win until a late intervention from VAR.

Referee Deniz Aytekin consulted VAR after Burnley defender James Tarkowski tangled with Federico Chiesa, and decided the England debutant had stepped on the Italian's foot, allowing Lorenzo Insigne to beat Jack Butland with just three minutes left.

England's players complained long and hard about the award of the spot-kick - but VAR looked to have got this one right, much to Southgate's frustration.

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