England pulled off their first victory over Italy in 15 years in a friendly on Wednesday, while world champion Spain eased past Puerto Rico 2-1. Visiting South American giants Argentina and Brazil also notched up comfortable victories over Germany and Sweden. A stunning Jermain Defoe strike 10 minutes from time handed Roy Hodgson’s England a 2-1 win, their first over the Italians since a 2-0 friendly victory in 1997.
It may not, however, make up for the pain of June’s Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat on penalties to the same opponents. England had to come from behind, with Daniele De Rossi heading in to give the Euro 2012 runners-up a 15th-minute lead before Phil Jagielka equalised 12 minutes later with another header. But just when the match seemed to be petering out to a draw, Defoe finished off a counter-attack led by fellow substitute James Milner before sending a 20-yard shot arrowing into Salvatore Sirigu’s top-left corner.
“It was a spectacular goal, and a great way to win the game,” said Hodgson. “It’s something none of us who have watched him play for Tottenham over the years, and have seen the quality he has, are surprised about.” In Bayamon, Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas scored goals in the opening half for world champion Spain, who beat Puerto Rico, stretching their unbeaten streak to 12 straight matches. It marked the first match for Spain since winning back-to-back European Championship titles last month. Cazorla scored in the 42nd minute and Fabregas added a second goal in the 45th with a low volley. Marc Cintron scored 19 minutes into the second half for Puerto Rico as he beat Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina. In Frankfurt, Argentina, whose World Cup ambitions died in a four-goal thumping at German hands two years ago in South Africa, turned the tables with a 3-1 win, despite Lionel Messi mising a penalty.
The hosts ended up with 10 men and were struggling once they lost inexperienced goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler after he upended the onrushing Jose Sosa. Germany’s 20-year-old rookie Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Borussia Moenchengladbach took his place between the sticks — then promptly saved a poor Messi penalty.
