On This Day – 24th March
It was on this day in 2007 that the first football match at the new Wembley Stadium took place.
England and Italy Under 21’s played out a classic 3-3 draw, with Italy’s Giampaolo Pazzini grabbing a hat-trick.
Pazzini scored the first ever goal at the £750 million stadium after only 25 seconds. He hit a rasping shot from 25 yards out, giving Lee Camp in the England goal no chance.
England equalised with a fantastic free-kick from Blackburn’s David Bentley. The free-kick was even further than Pazzini’s opener, a full 30 yards out.
Wayne Routledge hit a low shot in at the near post to give England the lead before Pazzini equalised from an uncleared corner.
Matty Derbyshire scored on his Under 21 debut to give England the lead for the second time in the match but Pazzini was to have the last word.
The young Italian took the ball down the right wing, cut inside and hit a hard shot across Camp into the far corner.
The game was a thrilling encounter and was played out in front of 55,700 fans. It was a great game for an opening match at the new stadium.
Giampaolo Pazzini had a good career in the game, playing most notably for both Milan clubs. He also played 25 times for Italy, scoring four times for the national team. This included a goal on his international debut against Montenegro.
About Author
