Italy beat England on penalties, in the UEFA Euro 2020 final, delaying football to come home once again.
The Azzurri concede an early goal in the opening two minutes of the game. Luke Shaw scored a volley from a beautiful cross by Trippier to give England their dream start. England continued to play well and shake Italy’s defense but couldn’t get another breakthrough chance.
Italy came on strong in the second half, England decided to sit back and strengthening their defense. But they couldn’t sit back for long. Bonucci scored from a corner kick, a Lorenzo header brilliantly stopped by keeper Pickford came on to the rebound after hitting the post.
Game was level with 25 minutes to play, England needed the win before 90 minutes, but coach Southgate decided to make substitutions later, giving England lesser chance to win in normal time.
Game ended with 1 goal to each, going into extra time. Italy played well in the first half of extras, England did in the second. But neither team conceded another goal. Southgate brought on Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on with two minutes to play in the second half of extra time, to use them if it goes to penalties.
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire stepped up and scored their penalties. But Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayako Saka, the three young players missed their penalties. Jordan Pickford saved Italy’s Bellotti and Jorginho’s penalties but that wasn’t enough. Saka missed the fifth penalty, and Italy wins 3-2 on penalties.
This was the first time England went onto a major cup final since they won the World Cup on 1966. Many supporters criticized Gareth Southgate, the England head coach for his coaching style and man management on the final. Southgate has put the blame on himself and suggested the young players who missed their penalties aren’t to be blamed.
However, reports coming on from England, thousands of online abuse has been aimed towards the young three colored players who are often targeted in online racial abuse.
This is Italy’s sixth major cup final. They have won the World Cup four times and with last night’s Euro win, they have won the competition twice. Only Germany has won more than Italy in Europe.
