Italy vs. England: Score, Grades and Reaction from International Friendly

Pre-match attention focused on Tottenham striker Harry Kane's first full England cap, but it proved to be two other White Hart Lane players who would combine to earn a modicum of revenge for the 2014 World Cup loss as the Three Lions came from behind to earn a 1-1 friendly draw with Italy at Juventus Stadium.

The Azzurri dominated the opening 45 minutes and were rewarded with a glancing header by Southampton striker Graziano Pelle as they headed into the interval with a 1-0 advantage.

However, a much-improved England returned for the second half, and after being introduced for his first cap in the 75th minute, Ryan Mason promptly set up Spurs team-mate Andros Townsend to produce a stunning equaliser four minutes later.

As expected, Kane was given his first senior start for England, with Theo Walcott playing alongside him and Wayne Rooney tucked in behind.

The early stages were a cagey affair, but England goalkeeper Joe Hart needed to produce a superb tip-over to deny a strike from Marco Parolo in the 10th minute. Everton defender Phil Jagielka was alert in the 17th minute as Matteo Darmian chased beyond Nathaniel Clyne on the left before his cross was cut out by the England centre-half.

Italy were the dominant side in the opening stages as England struggled to get a foot on the ball, but the visitors went close in the 21st minute.

After a clearance by the Italian defence from a Kane knock-back at the far post, the ball fell for Rooney on the edge of the area. The Manchester United man struck first time, but the ball hit the ground before striking Gianluigi Buffon's crossbar and away from danger.

Jagielka did well once more in the 28th minute as he blocked a cross heading for Pelle, but the Saints man was not to be denied from the subsequent corner. Giorgio Chiellini held off Phil Jones' challenge on the left side of the England area before clipping the ball into Pelle at the near post, and the striker simply glanced the ball beyond Hart.

Italy appeared to be toying with their visitors, and Pelle almost grabbed an identical goal in the 39th minute, with the cross supplied from the right wing this time by Alessandro Florenzi.

England were forced into a 44th-minute substitution as Michael Carrick replaced his Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling, who looked to have picked up an injury.

Roy Hodgson replaced Clyne with Kyle Walker for the second period as he looked to stem the threat of Darmian.

Jagielka, who was matching Rooney for the nomination as England's best player, needed to be at full stretch to prevent a sublime Roberto Soriano pass from reaching Pelle.

England were then grateful to see Italy miss two chances in quick succession, with Hart denying Eder before Pelle put the rebound wide of goal.

In a rare foray at the other end, Kane evaded the attentions of the Italian defence, but his shot took a slight deflection into the side-netting.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Kane and Rooney then combined in the 55th minute on the edge of the Italy box before the Manchester United striker fed Kieran Gibbs on the left, but the Arsenal man's shot was wide of goal.

Moments later, Ross Barkley came on to replace Walcott for England as Hodgson opted for a different look to his team.

On the hour mark, Antonio Conte made three changes to his lineup, with Eder, Florenzi and Pelle leaving in place of Franco Vazquez, Ignazio Abate and Ciro Immobile.

But England were holding the advantage in terms of possession as the second half progressed. The presence of Carrick, in particular, was providing more creativity for the visitors.

Conte made a further switch in the 68th minute with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti replacing Mirko Valdifiori, while Hodgson brought Andros Townsend on for Fabian Delph.

Buffon produced a solid stop from a 72nd-minute Rooney drive after he collected a great Gibbs pass from distance. Then Kane found a fine cross from the right, but Andrea Ranocchia cut out the danger with Rooney looking set to score.

Tottenham midfielder Mason earned his England debut in the 75th minute as he replaced Jordan Henderson.

In the 79th minute, England levelled with three subs combining. Carrick nudged an Italy clearance back to the edge of the area, where Mason stuck out a foot to poke the ball to Spurs team-mate Townsend, who rifled home a superb equaliser.

Seconds later, Rooney also broke free, but Buffon kept his legs closed as the England captain looked to give his team a late winner.

However, England and Hodgson could take plenty of satisfaction from a result which keeps their unbeaten run going.

Selected player ratings

Wayne Rooney: A-

Rooney was the only England player to really show his pedigree in the opening 45 minutes, along with Jagielka. Playing behind the front two saw him thrive, and he struck the crossbar with his first shot of the game. 

Matteo Darmian: A

He gave Nathaniel Clyne a torrid time on the flank, and his pace and running were persistently menacing to England. He picked up where he left off against the Three Lions in the World Cup last year.

Harry Kane: B+

It was a quiet first half for the Tottenham striker, as England were forced on the back foot. He did well when required, however.

Post-match reaction