Italy Are Euro 2020 Champions!
- Heartbreak for England, Lose 2-3 on penalties
For just the second time in their history, Italy are European Championship winner! The victory is the Italians’ first since 1968! Congratulations to the Italians and commiserations to England.
England’s wait goes on; no trophy for their remarkable young squad, but they remain heroes all. The English men lost 2-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at Wembley.
The Azzurri rallied after Luke Shaw’s early goal, with Leonardo Bonucci equalising in the second half. With no goals in extra time, the game was settled on penalties. Andrea Belotti missed first for Italy but the shootout turned when Marcus Rashford’s spot-kick hit the post.
Gianluigi Donnarumma then saved from Jadon Sancho, who like Rashford was brought on late in extra time. Jordan Pickford saved Jorginho’s penalty kick to keep England alive, but Donnarumma denied Bukayo Saka to seal Italy’s first European Championship since 1968.
As Donnarumma disappears under a pile of Azzurri shirts, Saka dissolves into tears. The Italians were the better side on the night and proved themselves the best team of the entire tournament.
It is not too much of a surprise after his performance tonight, but Donnarumma has been awarded the Player of the Tournament honour for his performances between the sticks.
The free-agent looks set to join PSG in the next few weeks. What a signing they have on their hands.
It is a worthy victory. On the way to this historic victory, they have beaten favourites Belgium, a resurgent Spain, and now an excellent young England side.
They have waited a long time for a second European Championship, 53 years, and will enjoy their party tonight! – Agency reports