Players of Italy and their coach Roberto Mancini celebrate on the podium after winning the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London, England, July 11, 2021. /CFP
Italy claimed the European Championship for the first time since 1968 as penalties came back to haunt England at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Gianluigi Donnarumma saving twice as the Azzurri won a 3-2 shootout after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.
The Italian goalkeeper saved from Jadon Sancho and, decisively, Bukayo Saka after Marcus Rashford hit the post, as Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci and Domenico Berardi all scored for the Italians in the shootout.
Luke Shaw had given England a dream start with a superb goal after two minutes, but Italy, who offered almost nothing in response in the first half, gradually took command and deservedly levelled through Bonucci after 67 minutes.
Luke Shaw (R) of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Italy during the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London, England, July 11, 2021. /CFP
For England coach Gareth Southgate, who missed from the spot when they lost in the Euro 1996 semi-final to Germany, it was another shootout horror show.
The two players he sent on late in extra time with penalties in mind missed their penalties, as did 19-year-old Saka, who crumpled under the pressure of taking the final kick.
"The penalty takers are my call," said Southgate. "We know they were the best takers we had left on the pitch, and we tried to get those players on to the pitch."
"The players have given everything, not only tonight but throughout the whole tournament. They should hold their heads high... but the devastation of getting so close is difficult to put into context," Southgate added. "At the moment the pain of the defeat is huge, we wanted to give our nation one more special night and a first European championship and we haven't quite been able to do it."
Leonardo Bonucci (in blue jersey) of Italy celebrates after scoring an equalizer against England during the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London, England, July 11, 2021. /CFP
Italy have now won five and lost six of their 10 major tournament shootouts, including one win and one loss in World Cup finals, while England's dismal record now reads seven losses from nine.
But England fans dreaming of a second title to add to the 1966 World Cup can hardly complain they were robbed this time, after their team followed a strong start by surrendering the initiative despite the support from most of the 67,000 crowd.
The match statistics told the story as Italy had 66 percent possession and 19 shots to England's six and, until the shootout, Donnarumma barely touched the ball.
Players of Italy celebrate after their 3-2 shoot-out victory on penalties over England during the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London, England, July 11, 2021. /CFP
Italy are now unbeaten in 34 matches, underlining the stunning turnaround fashioned by coach Roberto Mancini who took over after the country's humiliating failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
"It was impossible even to think about this, but the guys were extraordinary," Mancini said. "I don't have words for them, this is a magnificent group. We were great, we conceded an early goal and had some problems but then we dominated."
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