Italy defeated England in the Euro Cup 2020 final to clinch their first Euro title since 1968. Agony for England, who came down with the desire to win a title after 55 years, and ecstasy for Italy, who won their second European Championship. The deciding game went to penalty shootouts on Sunday night at England’s fortress Wembley Stadium after both teams scored one goal each (1-1) in full time and extra time.
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two England penalties and gifted the Blue Army a 3-2 shootout victory. Domenico Berardi, Leonardo Bonucci, and Federico Bernardeschi scored for Italy, while Andrea Belotti and Jorginho had their shots blocked by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. While England’s Harry Kane and Harry Maguire found the target, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka were unable to do so. Rashford’s strike hit the post, and the other two were saved by Donarumma.
England got off to a flying start in the final, with Luke Shaw scoring after just two minutes of play. After saving an Italian corner kick, Shah received the ball and passed it to Harry Kane in the middle of the field. England captain Kane advanced with the ball and spread it wide to right winger Kieran Trippier. Tripper raced to the penalty box and sent a curling deep cross to the fast-arriving Shaw, who fired it into the post with a smashing half-volley. It was Shaw’s first international goal, and it also went down in history as the fastest goal in a Euro Final.
It was a shocker to both Azzurri players and fans, but Roberto Mancini’s men never gave up and tried hard in the first half with several attacks. But none of them were able to get through England’s defense, and the first half ended with Gareth Southgate’s team leading by one goal.
Italy came out stronger in the second half, and Leonardo Bonucci equalised with a close-range shot in the 67th minute. Marco Verratti collected a corner kick ball inside the English box and tried to score with a header, but England goalkeeper Pickford blocked the ball. Pickford could not avoid the danger as the ball hit the post and went straight in front of Bonucci. The Juventus vice-captain kicked the ball inside the English goalpost without waiting for a second.
Domenico Berardi of Italy had a good chance in the 74th minute, but his strike went over the crossbar. Bukayo Saka had a great opportunity to put England ahead in the 83rd minute but he couldn’t score. The match extended to extra time as neither team could grab the lead. Both teams created one opportunity in extra time but were unable to convert it into a goal, forcing the match to proceed to shootouts.
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