Redeemed Italy extends England’s misery, wins shootout to claim Euro 2020 title

July 12, 2021: In the intoxicating buildup to the European Championship final Sunday, the soccer world was overrun by legends of England and Wembley Stadium, and 55 years of English heartache in major tournaments.

There was, however, a second team seeking redemption of very different kinds, a blue-clad Italian squad that happened to have played some of the finest soccer over the month-long spectacle.

The layout and start got in the way of England, but due to tensions in north-west London – a 1-1 draw led to a 90-minute rule and 30 extra time to an unusual penalty kick-breaker. Italy escalated the English crisis and celebrated its first continental crown since 1968. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donaruma, saved two and another English effort hit the post as Azzurri lost 3-2 in a shootout. Italy also made ammends for missing the 2018 World Cup, one of the darkest moments of the program after four World Cups, most recently in 2006.

“We are disappointed with the disappearance of the World Cup, but you always have to believe, you always have to fight for the top, and you should never lose,” Leonardo Bonucci , the defender who scored the tie in the second half said, “It’s a renaissance for Italian football.”

It was a blow to English football. After reaching their first European final, England wanted their first major trophy since winning the World Cup at home in 1966.

“The balloon is burst, and the feeling around the country will be very empty, I know,” Coach Gareth Southgate said. “That’s hard for everybody to take. We wanted to give everybody one more night that would continue the biggest party ever. We haven’t been able to do that, but I hope we’ve given everybody some incredible memories.”

England’s Jordan Pickford made two saves in the tiebreaker, including the fifth round, which kept his team’s hopes alive. However, Donnarumma jumped to his left to block the bid for the 19-year-old Bukayo Saka’s title. This was his second consecutive rescue. He went in the same direction to thwart Jadon Sancho’s attempt. Earlier, Marcus Rashford had lost the first three matches to England.

England has never beaten Italy in a major tournament. The Azzurri extended their unbeaten streak to 34 matches, spanning more than 2½ years and one short of the record shared by Brazil and Spain.

“We are very happy for Italians everywhere,” Coach Roberto Mancini said, “because we really have given them a wonderful month of success and joy.”

In the second minute, England took the lead on Luke Shaw’s goal and took possession of the first half. Italy ruled in the second half, with Bonchi in the 67th. Wembley, which is the venue for all but one of England’s matches during this transcontinental match, did not have the full potential due to the pandemic. However, it was full of emotion, color and noise – a welcome return to the football frenzy after more than a year of precautions and small or no crowds. Any fears from the cautious, conservative first half were immediately allayed.

Towards the end, England opened the first wave of Italian pressure and seized the opportunity. Striker Harry Kane made a deep fall and sprayed it to the right of Kieran Trippier, unmarked and to the top corner of the penalty area.

Trippier lofted the ball deep into the back side of the box. Shaw watched its flight and, at the six-yard box, waited for the short hop before he slammed a left-footed one-timer into the low near corner for his first international goal and the earliest in Euro final history.

The match turned after intermission. Pickford made a sensational diving save on Federico Chiesa’s threat. Italian momentum continued to swell. England was in trouble. The equalizer felt as if it was coming. Off a corner kick, the ball squirted to Marco Verratti on the back side for a five-yard header off the post. The rebound fell to Bonucci on the doorstep for an easy finish, his eighth goal in an 11-year international career and just the second conceded by England in the tournament.

The Italians attacked with fluidity and fire, recognizing a wounded adversary. England dictated terms for much of the last overtime period, but after an uneventful finish, the title had to be decided in a shootout for the first time since 1976.

England led 2-1 after two rounds but did not convert again.

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