The meeting with England proved every bit as demanding as expected.
For much of the contest, the score remained 2–1, with Italy having to chase the game despite putting together a performance that had impressed many watching.
They had created opportunities, moved the ball well and spent long periods troubling the English defence, but the equaliser continued to elude them.
Then, late in the match, Italy won a free kick, and Leo stepped forward to take it.
He had already spent much of the game looking for ways to break through England's defensive shape, but this was a different kind of opportunity.
He placed the ball, took a few steps back and waited for the referee's whistle.
When it came, he struck it with enough bend to send it curling into the penalty area, beyond the immediate reach of the defenders and into the path of Alessandro Bastoni.
The defender met it and sent the ball into the net and at last, Italy had their equaliser.
