Italy Earn Draw vs. England in 2018 Friendly; Controversial VAR Leads to Penalty

Italy scored a late equaliser as they drew 1-1 with England in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium, as the video assistant referee (VAR) played a huge part in the result on Tuesday. 

Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for the Three Lions with a clinical finish after 26 minutes, with England slowly improving before half-time.

There was controversy at the end of the game as VAR was used by the referee. A penalty was awarded to Italy with four minutes remaining after James Tarkowski clipped Federico Chiesa.

Lorenzo Insigne stepped up to take the kick, and the Italian grabbed the equaliser to frustrate English fans after a dominant display. 

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England fielded an experimental side, as Burnley centre-back Tarkowski claimed a starting spot under manager Gareth Southgate. Jack Butland was handed the gloves between the sticks, as Southgate set his team up in a 3-4-3.

Italy appeared relaxed in the opening moments, with goalkeeping prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma making an appearance in the net. Chelsea's Davide Zappacosta and Manchester United's Matteo Darmian also gained starts for the visitors.

The first half began as a tepid affair, with the hosts slow to get out of the blocks in front of a quiet crowd.

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Home fans soon found their voices, with Vardy causing trouble down the middle, supported by Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling.

Lingard was pivotal as Southgate's men grabbed an opener, with the United midfielder's quick thinking putting Vardy clear on goal.

The Leicester City attacker was clinical as he fired home, giving Donnarumma no chance as he made sure of his goal midway through the first half.

England slowly took control as Lingard and Sterling provided variation on the front foot, and the Italians were stuck in a rut as they failed to threaten.

Presenter Adam McKola was impressed with the Red Devils attacker:

Ashley Young gave the hosts good width as they searched for a second but the visitors were only a one-goal down at half-time.

The Italians remained curiously reserved after the interval, and England were comfortable as they continued to raid their opponents. Sterling was wasteful in the penalty area, missing the target when it was easier to score.

Substitute Adam Lallana immediately tested Donnarumma after entering the field after 67 minutes, but the Italy No. 1 was equal to the task.

Italy failed to exert any tangible pressure as England controlled the match, and the visitors were content to hold possession when the opportunity presented itself.

Insigne's brilliant volley almost shocked the English but the player's wonderful effort flashed wide with 12 minutes remaining.

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Italy attempted to stretch England in the final minutes, and Wembley was shocked as VAR was used at the death.

Chiesa burst into the box as he chased the ball, but tumbled as Tarkowski made contact with him.

VAR proved Tarkowski had stood on his opponent's foot, and after a review, the referee pointed to the spot.

Insigne made no mistake from the penalty spot, slotting home to earn the visitors an undeserved 1-1 draw.