CAPTAIN Alan Shearer remains sure England will qualify for France `98 despite Italy stealing a march on Glenn Hoddle's outfit in group two.
The sides are now level on points at the top of the five-team division, but Cesare Maldini's Azzurri have the advantage as they have a game in hand courtesy of Gianfranco Zola's 19th-minute winner.
But Shearer, who rarely saw the whites of goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi's eyes throughout the entire 90 minutes, was not too downhearted.
"It just didn't happen for us," he said. "We had some half chances, but we never really created a good chance.
"We kept them at bay, particularly during the second period when we pinned them in their own hall, but we never had a good chance."
England, suffering their first World Cup defeat in 29 matches at Wembley, clearly lacked the inspiration of Paul Gascoigne, while David Seaman and Tony Adams were also notable absentees.
Shearer reflected: "You are always going to miss players like that, they are world class players. But we worked extremely hard and it wasn't for the want of, trying.
"But we can still qualify. Both teams still have to go to Poland and I've got a sneaky feeling they could take something off Italy.
"Obviously, they've got the edge as they've a game in hand and could go three points clear, but it's far from over.
Man of the match Graeme Le Saux said he was personally pleased to be back in the international team.
"It's just a shame we did not win. I thought we created a lot but I think they passed the ball better, they knew when to lay it off one touch and when to carry it. They have got some great players.
"We needed to keep it tight early on. I thought when we got the ball and relaxed we matched them.
"I think we should all have a good look at the video and look at our own performances and we have all got to come back stronger from it."
Steve Stone, summarising for BBC Radio 5 Live said England had done the worst thing possible by conceding a goal midway - through the first half.
"We huffed and puffed a little bit. We needed a little bit of luck to get in there and get a goal but the Italian defence was absolutely superb."
And former England captain Terry Butcher said he was surprised by Hoddle's tactical choice.
"It was a massive gamble by playing Le Tissier and McManaman behind Alan Shearer, who struggled up front against two man markers."
