Italy won the Euro 2020 after beating England in a penalty shootout in a gripping final at Wembley, extending England’s 55-year wait for a major trophy.
Italy have been the best team in this tournament, digging deep to win their knockout games and they again showed their tenacity by coming to behind to win the final. This win is Italy’s second Euro title with their first coming on home soil in 1968.
England off to a dream start
There was great anticipation and optimism among the English fans ahead of the monumental game. And that optimism turned into belief when Luke Shaw put England ahead after two minutes. The game continued at a frantic pace. However despite being on the front foot England failed to add another goal and this would haunt them later.
Italy grew in the game and played with a zip in the second with Federico Chiesa troubling England’s backline. Their dominance was such that England’s back three quickly became back five. This nerves and tension was felt throughout the stadium as the early boisterous crowd was now quiet and anxious. It was then no surprise when the Azzuri levelled the final on 67 minutes. Failing to deal with a corner, England were made to pay as Bonucci finished from closed range.
The game went to extra time with few chances in between and the late introductions of Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka did made England more of a threat. It was too little to late as the game went to the dreaded penalties.
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire had put in England in ascendancy after Jordon Pickford saved from Andrea Belotti. However nerves got to English players as they would miss the next three penalties with Rashford, Sancho and Saka failing to score. Despite Pickford denying Jorginho to keep hopes alive, teenager Saka saw his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma to break England’s hearts.
Familiar feeling for Three Lions but hope remains.
This is the closest England have gotten to win a major title since the now legendary 1966 win. They offered a real threat in the final and again looked composed but once they took the lead they slowly allowed England back in the game. After impressing in the last rounds there was a real sense of expectation inside Wembley but it ended with a all too familiar feeling for their fans.
Gareth Southgate despite this agonizing defeat, has restored pride and belief in this England side. They way his team have played at Euro 2020, they deserve a lot of credit. They were brave, stubborn and showed character to come within touching distance of winning a first European Championship.
Focus will now turn to the World Cup in 2022 as Southgate aims to prepare for another tilt at glory. Many players have come of age in this journey which will valuable for the next tournament . But for now this defeat will hurt and the wait goes on for the Three Lions.
Italy’s Renaissance
With chants of ‘Its coming home’ getting louder from the English camp before the final, Italy quietly believed it will be coming to Rome. They had been unbeaten for 33 games before the final and had won every game so far at the tournament. Azzuri hadn’t conceded more than one goal in that run. Even when they went behind there was no panic as the experienced Chiellini and Bonucci rallied them. They dominated the game afterwards and were deservingly level.
Azzuri proved their winning mentality and pedigree as they won a major trophy for the first time since their 2006 World Cup success. A perfect blend of youth and experience with immense character. Any another team may have been overawed by the partisan atmosphere at Wembley on Sunday, but not this team. They are made of sterner stuff and so it proved.
Mancini’s Empire
Mancini rightly should take immense credit for rebuilding this team, the team that failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. An Italian job for the ages. Mancini has moulded them into this relentless machine that don’t know when they are beaten. The typical Italian defense was on display but make no mistake, this Italian side plays with a flair you won’t find with their teams usually. Mancini has laid the foundations for another Italian empire.
