London: Italy made a happy return to football, but England’s painful wait for more than five decades for a major title continued unabated. And it happened only because of a penalty shootout. Italy won the European Football Championship – Euro 2020 title after beating England 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the final played on Sunday night. Both the teams were tied 1-1 in regular and extra time.
This is the second time Italy has become the Euro champion. Gianluigi Donnarumma dived to his left to block Bukayo Saka’s shot as England failed their third straight penalty shootout at their favorite Wembley Stadium. Just four years ago, the situation in Italy’s football was not good. He failed to make it to the World Cup for the first time in six decades. They are now the best team in Europe and are on track for the national record of being unbeaten in most matches under coach Roberto Mainichi. England was playing the final of a major tournament for the first time in 55 years.
He has not won any major title since the World Cup victory in 1966. He had previously lost matches in penalty shootouts in major tournaments in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, and 2012. England took the lead with a second-minute goal from Luke Shaw. It was the fastest goal in the final of the European Championship. Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci scored the equalizer in the 67th minute. The 19-year-old from London was hugged by several England players after his penalty lapse. England coach Gareth Southgate hugged Jadon Sancho, who had missed the previous penalty, while Marcus Rashford, another player who failed a penalty, walked off the field in despair. Sancho and Rashford were brought in as substitutes in the final moments of extra time.
It seems that the decision was taken because of his expertise in taking penalties. Donnarumma’s tears could not stop after stopping the deciding penalty. His companions ran towards him and hugged him. The Italian fans were in a tizzy and the players in awe. Italy had previously won the European Championship in 1968. Like three of the previous six finals of the European Championships, this match also dragged on to extra time. This was not unexpected as both the semi-finals also dragged on to extra time and in those matches too both these teams displayed a good example of their defensive ability.
In fact, Italy’s strong defense was breached only once, and that too when Shaw scored a goal from Kieran Trippier’s cross. This was Shaw’s first goal for England. David Beckham and Tom Cruise, seated in the guest box, celebrated the goal like any other spectator. After this, the players of the middle row of Italy dominated. His passing was excellent. England’s defense was also strong, but Italy managed to break into it in the second half. A winger from the right end brought the ball close to the post and Bonucci managed to score. England played well after that but that could not stop the match from being dragged into a penalty shoot-out.
