As it was before kick-off, Giorgio Chiellini's grief regarding the passing of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori was also clear in a post-match interview with BT Sport's Des Kelly.
Wembley held a moment of silence for the 31-year-old Astori who died at the weekend. Tears fell down Chiellini's face as he stood arm in arm with his teammates. Astori and Chiellini were fellow Italian internationals.
Speaking after the game, Chiellini said those pre-match tears were not the only ones he has shed for Astori. Elegantly - especially considering that English is not his first language - he also said that he and others will gather tomorrow for one last goodbye at Astori's funeral.
We dedicate to him not only this match but every mind in this day. I cry many times. I always believe him because he's a fantastic player.
It's very difficult during the match because we have to think of the game, of the opponents - it's not easy. It's always our heart.
Tomorrow we go to give the last ciao together without teammates.
"It's difficult but we have to continue our life. For us it's important in national team in our heart to always be positive and always smile.
"We would like to continue to smile in our heart."
You can watch the interview with BT Sport below.
"He's always in our heart, tomorrow we go to give our last 'ciao' together with our teammates."
Georgio Chiellini pays a powerful tribute to his friend and colleague Davide Astori pic.twitter.com/FyNdcFYXrT— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 7, 2018
