Football-Italy named European champions Reuters beat England in the shootout

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) – Italy won the European Championship for the first time since 1968, when penalties entered England on Sunday at Wembley, saving Gianluigi Donnarumma twice as Azzurri won 3-2 after the match ended 1-1. time.

The giant goalkeeper saved Jadon Sancho and, decisively, Bukayo Sakari after Marcus Rashford hit the post, as it was Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci and Domenico Berardi who scored the Italians.

Luke Shaw gave England a dream start with two minutes to go with a superb goal, but Italy, who responded with almost nothing in the first half, gradually took the lead and deservedly equalized Bonucci in the 67th minute.

It was the first final decided on penalties since Czechoslovakia won West Germany in 1976 and a huge celebration was held in Italy after losing the final in 2000 and 2012.

For England coach Gareth Southgate, who lost when they lost to Germany in the Euro96 semi-final, it was another horror show.

The two players who sent in late in extra time failed to account for penalties, as did the 19-year-old Saka, who succumbed to pressure to make the final shot.

Italy, meanwhile, have won five and lost six of their 10 major league draws, including one win and one loss in the World Cup finals, while England’s sad record reads seven losses out of nine.

Fans of England who are dreaming of a second title at the 1966 World Championships can hardly complain that they have been robbed this time, despite the support of most of the 67,000 crowd after their team got off to a strong start.

The statistics of the match told the story, as Italy had 66% and 19 shots against six of England and, until the shooting, Donnarumma barely touched the ball.

Italy have 34 games left now, and coach Roberto Mancini stressed the amazing turn he took when he failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in the country.

“It was impossible to think about that either, but the boys were extraordinary,” Mancini said. “I don’t have a word for them. It’s a great team. We had a great time, we scored the opening goal and we had some problems, but then we prevailed.”

LIGHT START

He got off to a great start in England when Harry Kane opened the ball to Kieran Trippier and was immediately reminded when the Southgate coach returned to his mind that Shaw sent a deep cross that he found in the middle of the volley to hammer his first level in the middle of the post. international purpose.

England took the lead in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia and lost in extra time, but stayed on top for a while, arguing with the Italians and asking for instructions to run to Mancini as they struggled to recover.

England’s punched defense, which conceded a goal, through a Danish free kick in the previous six tournament matches, seemed safe enough but the players in front began to give more and more territory.

Jordan Pickford had to be saved from Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa when Italy stepped up the pressure and gave the dividend when Bonucci came close after the goalkeeper turned Andrea Belotti’s header into the post.

England could not complain after inviting their opponent and offering almost nothing in the attack.

It was a similar story in overtime, although it briefly forced England into the game, even if it didn’t create much to reward people for the waves of noise.

England briefly sensed the glory when Pickford saved Belotti, and Kane and Harry Maguire were placed 2-1 ahead. The goalkeeper kept the hosts there when he saved Jorginho again, as Donnarumma had the last word when he blocked Saka’s weak shot.

“Punishers are my call,” Southgate said. “We know they were the best receivers left on the pitch, and we tried to get those players out on the pitch.

“The players have given their all, not just tonight, but throughout the tournament. They should raise their heads … but the destruction of such an approach is hard to put into context.”

“At the moment the pain of defeat is enormous. We wanted to give our nation a special night and a first European championship and we haven’t been able to do it enough.”