Andros Townsend has claimed that his equalising goal for England was a "reward" for the faith shown in him by manager Roy Hodgson as they held Italy to a draw in Turin.
Graziano Pelle's first-half header had given the Azzurri the lead in Juventus Stadium, but Spurs winger Townsend arrived off the substitutes' bench to rifle home the leveller with around 10 minutes remaining.
Townsend told ITV Sport: "It was a nightmare [to miss out on the World Cup] and the manager has stuck by me, and he's shown me loyalty and I think I've rewarded that faith.
"Yes, we're pleased because [Italy] are difficult to break down. They settle well with three at the back and the two wing-backs helping, so they're difficult [to get past] and I think it was going to have to be a [long-range] shot to beat them.
"After we got the equaliser, it was all us and we two or three chances to get the winner, but it wasn't to be, but it's a good result and a good way to end the trip."
The result means that England are now unbeaten since they lost to Uruguay in the second game of their World Cup campaign back in June.
Paul Gorst
