Peerless Pirlo keeps Italy a step ahead

England certainly had heart — they had it in abundance — and they certainly had defensive grit and a determination in midfield to make life difficult for Italy.

But what they didn’t have was a Pirlo — and even his penalty in a dramatic and decisive shoot-out proved it.

Before this match, critics were making comparisons between England’s defensive and well-organised team with an Italian side of the 1980s; but even the most defensive side needs a creator in midfield to turn defence into attack every now then.