Italy defeated England via penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night. The Three Lions missed three times from the spot to hand the Azzurri victory in the shootout in the much anticipated EURO 2020 final.
Italy went into the EURO 2020 final unbeaten in 33 matches. Indeed they had been superb and indomitable throughout the tournament and nothing could serve as a better compensation for them than winning the tournament.
England on the other hand, had waited for an opportunity like this because the last time they won a major tournament was back in 1966. There was renewed optimism and hope that with their group of talented players and the advantage of being at home could give them an edge over their counterparts.
However it was not to be as the Italians proved they were not going to be push-overs for Gareth Southgate’s boys.
England started the game on a very strong and resolute manner which gave them a dream start with an early goal just two minutes into the game.
Running down the right flank, a perfectly weighted pass from Kieran Trippier found Luke Shaw in the box and he smashed it into the back of the net past a helpless Gianluigi Donnarumma.
England dominated the first half with Italy looking tired, drained and devoid of ideas. However, with the changes made by Roberto Mancini, a more rejuvenated and spirited Italy came on show in the second half to change the game, moving the ball quicker and applying lots of pressure to the Three Lions defence.
A Raheem Sterling appeal for a penalty was waved off in the early minutes of the second half. Moments later, Italy got a free kick, but Insigne sent his attempt into the cheering crowd.
The tempo of the game changed with Italy more determined than ever to get an equaliser. They kept pressing, pushing their opponents to sit deep to defend their lead.
The Azzurri’s efforts were rewarded in the 67th minute as Insigne corner found Verratti whose header deflected to Bonucci, who quickly volleyed the ball into the net to put the game on level terms.
Domenico Berardi came close to putting his side in front but should only smash his effort over the bar to meet the cheering fans.
Many chances were created in the closing stages of the game, but neither team had the decisive quality to find the back of the net which resulted in the game going into extra time.
The game soon resulted to a penalty shoot out between the teams as neither team could break the deadlock in the 30 minutes added.
Berardi was first to step up to take a penalty which he converted for Italy. For the Three Lions, Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-1.
In the second round, Belotti’s penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford while Harry Maguire put England ahead by converting his.
Bonucci also calmly converted his to give the Azzurri a lifeline. Marcus Rashford’s penalty hit the upright to even out the scoring to 2-2.
In the fourth round of penalties, Bernardeschi stepped up and put Italy in front as he fired past Pickford. Manchester United summer signing Jadon Sancho couldn’t level up for England as Donnarumma proved equal to the task in goal to make it 3-2.
Jorginho who has often been very reliable from the spot for club and country, had the opportunity to put the tie to bed but he also fluffed his penalty.
Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka was then saddled with the responsibility of taking the last penalty to keep England in the tie. However, it was not to be as Donnarumma was able to keep out his effort as well to hand a 3-2 penalty win to Italy.
Italy have now won their second European Championship title, and first in 53 years previously winning it in 1968.
It’s their sixth major tournament title (4 World Cup, 2 EUROS); among European nations, only Germany (7) have won more.
Click here to see the players who were awarded in the EURO 2020 final.
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