England book berth to France with 0-0 draw

October 11, 1997
Soccernet

ROME, Italy -- England booked their passage to the World Cup finals in France next year when they drew 0-0 with Italy in a stormy European group two qualifier in Rome on Saturday which was marred by crowd trouble.

Their captain and former Inter Milan midfielder Paul Ince ended the match with his head bandaged and covered in blood after an early clash with Demetrio Albertini, and Italy's Angelo Di Livio was sent off for an unwieldy second half challenge on Sol Campbell.

Di Livio's Juventus team mate Alessandro Del Piero had what appeared to be a reasonable appeal for a penalty turned down and Christian Vieri headed inches wide deep into injury time.

But Glenn Hoddle's side, who almost stole victory when Ian Wright hit a post from a tight angle in the dying seconds after rounding goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, kept their heads to qualify for soccer's greatest tournament for the first time since it was held here in 1990.

The Italians, who finished a point behind England in the group, now face a do-or-die two-leg play-off to see if they too will go to France and coach Cesare Maldini will have to find a solution to his side's current goal drought.

Italy drew three of their most important qualifying matches -- in Poland, Georgia and here -- 0-0, results which ultimately cost them an automatic qualifying spot.

Maldini, perhaps stung by criticism of his cautious approach to the matches in Chorzow and Tbilisi, started Saturday's match with three strikers -- Gianfranco Zola, Filippo Inzaghi and Vieri.

Zola, who ruined England's evening at Wembley eight months ago, haunted the left flank and caused constant problems for England wing-back David Beckham, who recovered from a heavy cold just in time to take his place in the side.

A defence-splitting pass from the little Sardinian put Vieri in for the first chance but the Atletico Madrid striker just failed to control the ball.

With just 12 minutes gone Ince had to leave the pitch with blood streaming from a head wound.

He returned shortly afterwards and it was his fierce tackle which flattened Italy captain Paolo Maldini and eventually forced him out of the game. 

While Italy had the early pressure England had the best chance of the half.

Sheringham created it with a cultured knock-back header for Ince, whose powerful drive was parried by Peruzzi.

The pace picked up after halftime when Enrico Chiesa replaced Inzaghi in the Italian front line.

The Parma striker turned Gareth Southgate inside out after an hour and forced David Seaman into his first real save of the night with a crisp drive from a tight angle.

But still the football failed to really flow and the match was constantly interrupted by free-kicks and bookings. Nine players, including Di Livio, were cautioned by Dutch referee Mario van der Ende.

The tense atmosphere in the Olympic stadium was heightened by constant skirmishes on the terraces between England fans and police in full riot gear. One officer and one fan were taken to hospital.

On the pitch the Italians dominated much of the final 20 minutes despite Di Livio's dismissal. Chiesa, Del Piero and Vieri all threatened to give them the win they required to leap-frog over England at the top of the group.

But England, with Campbell and Adams towers of strength at the back, held on for a draw which secured their automatic qualification and eased the painful memory of defeat at Wembley in February.
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