Italy came from two goals down to snatch a point in its European Under-21 Championship match against England at the Gelredome stadium on Thursday.

England looked to have put behind the disappointment of the 0-0 draw against Czech Republic on Monday as the team raced to a 2-0 lead within 26 minutes. England started the match strongly, determined not to be the team that misses out the semifinal slot, after both the teams received the news that Serbia went through to the semifinals following a 1-0 victory over Czech Republic.

Leroy Lita messed up two great chances to score against the Azzurri, first shooting wide from close range after Mark Noble had done brilliantly to find him, and then hitting the crossbar after latching on to a fumble from Azzurri keeper Emiliano Viviano. Meanwhile Italy had a great chance at the other end, but were denied by a brilliant block from Steven Taylor.

England finally took the lead in the 24th minute when Preston striker, Dave Nugent dived low to head home a curling ball from Leighton Baines. Lita made amends for his missed chances, latching on to a through ball from Ashley Young to smash home the ball in the 26th minute.

However Italy did not lose hope and were rewarded in the 35th minute, thanks to a lucky deflection, first off Raffaele Palladino and the off Giorgio Chiellini and into the net. The goal seemed to have spurred Italy and the Azzurri team looked threatening for the rest of the match. Only some insipirational keeping by Scott Carson kept out the Italians from leveling the match as he pulled of great saves to deny Pazzini twice and scorching Riccardo Montolivo drive in the second half.

But it was all in vain as Italy managed to draw level in the 69th minute Aquilani hit a low drive that just crept past Carson into the net. Young twice came very close to restoring his team's lead but the Italians managed to hold on to a point.

Italy next face Czech Republic in a cracker of a match that could see one of the teams getting eliminated from the competition, while England meet group leaders and semifinalists Serbia on Sunday.