Italy fight back to win Euro 2020 in England, remain unbeated in 34 matches

The Euro 2020 Trophy went to Rome from Wembley in London on Sunday, thanks to an astonishing penalty kicks shootout which ended 3-2 in Italy’s favour against England in the Euro 2020 final.

The Italian team which are now undefeated in 34 matches were to return home from London during the night.

Italians wildly celebrated the Euro 2020 title and the team and trophy are billed to be received by Prime Minister Mario Draghi later on Monday.

Thousands took to the streets across the country after winning their second continental title. Flares were lit in celebration and people were singing and dancing after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved the final kick.

Many fans had gathered in front of the Colloseum and at the Piazza del Populo in Rome to watch the game on big screens.

A government statement said that Draghi wanted to to thank the team, coach Roberto Mancini and his staff.

It said the team had shown “an extraordinary game and a special team spirit in addition to great individuality.”

After a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, brought on at the death just to take penalty kicks, both missed.

Though Jorginho spurned Italy’s first opportunity to win, Gianluigi Donnarumma then saved from Bukayo Saka.

It is heartbreak for England, seeking to end a title drought from 1966, and for manager Gareth Southgate who missed a crucial spot-kick in the 1996 semi-final shootout loss against Germany.

Nearly two full hours previously his judgement looked perfect as the recalled Kieran Trippier crossed for fellow full-back Shaw.

Shaw volleyed home from the left in under two minutes for the fastest-ever goal in a Euro final.

But veteran Leonardo Bonucci scrambled home a 67th minute equaliser and Italy crowned a 34-game unbeaten run under coach Robert Mancini with their second continental trophy after 1968.

The pre-match build-up was marred by seemingly ticketless supporters charging barriers in an attempt to access the stadium.

Several English media outlets reported on the incidents and videos on social media showed fans rushing at the gates.

European football ruling body UEFA confirmed fans had advanced beyond the outer security perimeter.

But it claimed they had not managed to access the interior of the stadium before the 8 p.m. kick-off time.

This account was disputed by various reporters in the stadium, including that of the Guardian paper which said “multiple eyewitnesses” reported “England fans without tickets forced their way through the Wembley turnstiles.”

With only 7,500 wearing the blue of Italy, the vast majority were soon out of their seats —- if they were ever in them to begin with.

Ironically it was England’s nerves that led to the goal when defender Harry Maguire hit a needless backpass out for a corner-kick and a lightning counter-attack broke the deadlock.

Shaw started the move by finding team captain Harry Kane, who in turn released the marauding Trippier on the right.

Shaw continued his run to the edge of the six-yard box and found the net via the inside of the post in just one minute 56 seconds.

The historic goal, hours before his 26th birthday, made Shaw just the third English goalscorer in a major final after Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

Italy were shocked and another cross from Trippier, brought in for Saka as Southgate changed to a back three, caused concern as England dominated the early stages.

Finally balance emerged but Federico Chiesa —- who scored twice previously at Wembley —- shot just wide after escaping Declan Rice.

Jordan Pickford’s only save, in first-half injury-time, was a simple one from Marco Verratti.

Italy were playing on the 39th anniversary of their 1982 FIFA World Cup win —- their third of four.

They kept alive their dream of another European crown when Bonucci forced home after Verrati’s header was touched onto the post.

Bonucci, who also played in the Euro 2012 final which was lost to Spain alongside captain Giorgio Chiellini, became the oldest final goalscorer at 34 years and 71 days.

The lively Chiesa going off injured for Federico Bernardeschi was a blow for Italy’s attack.

Chiellini saved the day at the other end with an astounding late tackle on Raheem Sterling as the game petered out to penalty kicks.

Domenico Berardi and Kane scored the opening penalty kicks before England took advantage when Pickford saved from Andrea Belotti and Maguire smashed home an unstoppable kick.

But Bonucci kept his cool and Bernardeschi drilled one down the middle between Rashford and Sancho both missing terrible kicks —- off the post and saved —- from stuttered run-ups.

Chelsea’s reliable Jorginho, who netted the winning shootout kick against Spain in the semi-final, had his shot touched onto the post.

But Saka’s weak kick was met by Donnarumma diving to his left to secure victory.


Southgate takes blame for loss

Gareth Southgate took full responsibility for England’s failure from the penalty kicks spot.

“We prepared as well as we could for that and that’s my responsibility, I chose the guys to take the kicks,” Southgate said.

“No-one is on their own in that situation. We decided to make the changes right at the end of the game and we win and lose together as a team.”

On selecting Saka to take the fifth penalty kick and also making very late substitutions to get more takers on, Southgate added: “That’s my decision to give him that penalty kick.

“So, it is totally my responsibility. It is not him, Marcus or Jadon.

“We worked on it in training and that’s the order we came to. (It’s) my call as coach.

“It is always the risk you run but they have been by far the best and to get all those attacking players on you have to do it late.

“It was a gamble but if we gambled earlier we may have lost the game in extra-time any way.”

Captain Harry Kane was proud of the effort of the team.

He said: “The players couldn’t have given more. Penalty kicks obviously are the worst thing in the world when you lose. It wasn’t our night.

“But it’s been a fantastic tournament and we should be proud, hold our heads up high.

“Of course it’s going to hurt for a while but we are on the right track and hopefully we can progress from this next year.”

Kane offered words of encouragement for the three players who missed penalty kicks in the shoot-out.

“You have got to hold your heads up high. It’s been a fantastic tournament.

“Anyone can miss a penalty kick. We win together, we lose together. We will learn and these boys will grow from it.

“It will give us more motivation to do well in the FIFA World Cup next year.

“We should be extremely proud of what we have achieved. It will probably hurt for the rest of our careers, but that is football.

“We have progressed well from Russia (2018 FIFA World Cup). Now it is about continuing. We have a great squad with loads of good young players.

 
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