Nicolò Zaniolo helped Italy qualify for Euro 2024 with a goalless draw against Ukraine on Monday night.
Aston Villa’s on-loan attacking midfielder started for the Azzurri and completed 71 minutes in Leverkusen to help secure a crucial point.
Italy, reigning European champions, went into their final qualifier of the campaign knowing a draw would be enough to secure their place at next summer’s tournament in Germany, with defeat ensuring they would instead enter the play-offs and opponents Ukraine progress.
But they did enough to get the point required to finish runners-up in Group C behind England.
Villa striker Ollie Watkins made his first competitive start for England as they were held to a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia.
Watkins, making his third start in his ninth appearance for the Three Lions, completed 58 minutes of the clash in Skopje, with Gareth Southgate’s side already assured of top spot and a place at the European Championship.
Villa team-mate Ezri Konsa was an unused substitute and still awaits his maiden senior international cap.
