Pazzini opened the scoring in the first minute of the friendly and then grabbed two equalisers in the second half to deny England victory.

David Bentley became the first England player to score at the new ground when he equalised in the first half, before Wayne Routledge and debutant Matt Derbyshire also scored.

England fans had waited seven years for the new stadium, but within 30 seconds of the kick-off Pazzini's goal stunned the hosts.

England skipper Nigel ReoCoker was brushed off the ball by Pazzini, who then unleashed a drive from 25 yards that took a deflection off Anton Ferdinand and flew into the net just inside Lee Camp's near post.

The goal was timed at 28 seconds, faster than Bryan Robson's strike against Yugoslavia in 1989, which at 38 seconds was the fastest international goal at the old stadium.

England's youngsters pushed forward in response and Bentley made history with a 31st minute equaliser.

The Blackburn midfielder won a free-kick 25 yards from goal and curled his set-piece over the wall and into the bottom corner.

The two countries will meet in the group stages of the European Championship finals staged in Holland in June, and the strong challenges suggested it was a friendly they both wanted to impress in.

England moved ahead when Derbyshire, a half-time substitute, played Routledge through to score at the near post.

The visitors levelled in the 53rd minute when Pazzini stabbed in at close range, steering in a shot by Nocerino.

In the 58th minute, Derbyshire put England back in front, finishing from close range after James Milner powered a cross into the sixyard area.

Pazzini grabbed his hattrick in the 68th minute, slotting in his finish at the far post. But for a woeful miss from six yards out late on, he would have been the matchwinner.