Match No. 224 - Saturday, 13th May 1939

  • "The second half began with England attacking, but the Italians fought back strongly and after two minutes equalised. Biavati put in possession by De Petrini, dashed down the wing, rounded Mercer and Hapgood, and, cutting in, sent in a hard rising shot that left Woodley with no chance." Amedeo Biavati, 48'
  • "The goal, Italy's second, was hotly disputed. It came 18 minutes after the interval when Piola, the centre forward, who was standing close in with his back to goal, appeared to knock the ball down with his hand to get it under control. The English players protested vigourously, but after consulting the linesman, the German referee, Dr. Bauwens, ruled that it was a legitimate goal." Silvio Piola, 63'
    • GK
    • Aldo OlivieriAldo Olivieri.
      Born 2nd Oct 1910, Verona.
    • RB
    • Alfredo FoniAlfredo Foni.
      Born 20th Jan 1911, Udine.
    • LB
    • Pietro RavaPietro Rava.
      Born 21st Jan 1916, Cassine.
    • HB
    • Teobaldo DepetriniTeobaldo Depetrini.
      Born 12th Mar 1914, Vercelli.
    • HB
    • Michele AndreoloMiguel Ángel Andriolo Frodella.
      Born 6th Sep 1912, Dolores, Uruguay.
    • HB
    • Ugo LocatelliUgo Locatelli.
      Born 5th Feb 1916, Toscolano-Maderno.
    • OR
    • Amedeo BiavatiAmedeo Biavati.
      Born 4th Apr 1915, Bologna.
    • IR
    • Pietro SerantoniPietro Serantoni.
      Born 12th Dec 1906, Venice.
    • CF
    • Silvio PiolaSilvio Piola.
      Born 23rd Sep 1913, Robbio.
    • IL
    • Giuseppe MeazzaGiuseppe Meazza.
      Born 23rd Aug 1910, Milan.
       (c)
    • OL
    • Gino ColaussiLuigi Colausig.
      Born 4th Mar 1914, Gradisca d'Isonzo.
  • Assist: Stanley Matthews. "Foni, under severe pressure, conceded a corner on the right. Matthews took the kick, and Olivieri, who appeared to be unsighted, was beaten by a header from Lawton." Tommy Lawton6th of 22 goals. Header from yards., 19'
  • "Hall found an opening for a shot which beat Olivieri, who was apparently unsighted again." Willie Hall9th of 9 goals. , 77'
    • 1
    • Vic WoodleyChelsea, 17th of 19 caps
      29 years, 2 months, 15 days
      Goalkeeper
    • 2
    • George MaleArsenal, 17th of 19 caps
      29 years, 0 months, 5 days
      Right Back
    • 3
    • Eddie HapgoodArsenal, 29th of 30 caps
      30 years, 7 months, 19 days
      Left Back       (c)20th captaincy
    • 4
    • Ken WillinghamHuddersfield, 11th of 12 caps
      26 years, 5 months, 12 days
      Right Half
    • 5
    • Stan CullisWolves, 10th of 12 caps
      22 years, 6 months, 19 days
      Centre Half
    • 6
    • Joe MercerEverton, 3rd of 5 caps
      24 years, 9 months, 4 days
      Left Half
    • 7
    • Stanley MatthewsStoke City, 16th of 54 caps
      24 years, 3 months, 12 days
      Outside Right
    • 8
    • Willie HallSpurs, 9th of 10 caps
      27 years, 2 months, 1 day
      Inside Right
    • 9
    • Tommy LawtonEverton, 6th of 23 caps
      19 years, 7 months, 7 days
      Centre Forward
    • 10
    • Len GouldenWest Ham, 12th of 14 caps
      26 years, 9 months, 28 days
      Inside Left
    • 11
    • Frank BroomeAston Villa, 5th of 7 caps
      23 years, 11 month, 2 days
      Outside Left

Notes

  • Match InfoEngland's first game of their European tour which would also see visits to Yugoslvia and Romania.
  • Match InfoThomas Whittaker was nominated as head coach but did not select the team.
  • Pre Matchi. "The English gesture of giving the Fascist salute, both before and after the match, was greatly appreciated."
    ii. "...Meazza, captain of the Italian team, presented Hapgood with a Milan cake."
  • Controversial Goal"The goal, Italy's second, was hotly disputed. It came 18 minutes after the interval when Piola, the centre forward, who was standing close in with his back to goal, appeared to knock the ball down with his hand to get it under control. The English players protested vigourously, but after consulting the linesman, the German referee, Dr. Bauwens, ruled that it was a legitimate goal."
    According to the Daily Telegraph, Victor Emmanuel III, the Italian Crown Prince was infuriated and demanded that play was stopped so he could talk to Bauwens. He was eventually discouraged from doing so by Stanley Rous.

Sources

  • The Times "England draw in Milan", Monday 15th May 1939, Page 7
  • British Pathe Newsreel Anglo - Italian Soccer Duel, Canister: 39/40 Film ID: 1011.22
  • The Guardian "England draw with Italy", Monday 15th May 1939, page 6.
  • Daily Telegraph "Italy's record football 'gate'" & "England and Italy draw at Milan", Monday 15th May 1939, page 14 & 18.

Previous Match

Next Match

Managers

Referee

  • Germany Dr Peco Bauwens

Attendance

  • 60,000

Half Time Score

ELO Ratings

  • No change in rank, gaining 6 ranking points to 1977 points England - 4th
  • Italy - 1st