English defender Kyle Walker has stated that England’s loss to Italy at the last UEFA Euros Championship final in 2021 will serve as a motivation to seek a victory when both teams face each other again on Tuesday in the Euro 2024 qualifier.

The game is the first one between both sides to be played at Wembley Stadium since the final loss a few years back, and the Three Lions need just a point from the game to seal qualification for next year’s championship in Germany.

Looking back on the defeat, the Manchester City defender wants to pay back the Italians as the team has learned from their past mistakes.

“We fell short that night. Hopefully, we can get a little bit of payback. To do what we did in that special summer, to arrive so close. To concede a goal through a set play when we’ve been so good it was devastating. At club level, I went to Porto and lost against Chelsea, and then two years later, we won the Treble. People and teams evolve from that; I think you learn from occasions where you’ve been in finals and lost in finals, and setbacks, and then you go on to achieve something great. It’s about putting a performance on and going out there and winning, but I won’t be ashamed if it’s 0-0 and we’re in the Euros, and I’m going to represent my country in the finals.” Walker said.

England’s last game was against Australia in an international friendly, which they won 1-0; before then, they faced Scotland in a friendly they won 3-1. England tops the group with 13 points, followed by Italy, who have 10 points from maximum games. England are on an incredible run of form that has seen them win four out of the last five games.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu