Penalty pain for England against Italy in Euro 2020 final

A penalty shootout was required to separate England and Italy in the final of Euro 2020 after a 1-1 draw, and having taken an early lead on spot-kicks, three consecutive misses handed Italy the trophy.

Substitutes Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed from 12 yards, with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the hero with two saves.

Former Saints star Luke Shaw had given England the best possible start, slamming home to put his side ahead in just the second minute.

But Italy levelled midway through the second half of normal time with Leonardo Bonucci pouncing from close range, connecting with a loose ball following a corner.

That is how the game ended, and with no further goals in the additional 30 minutes of extra time, a shootout was needed.

And despite two saves from Jordan Pickford and successful penalties from Harry Kane and Harry Maguire, Italy won 3-2 on spot-kicks, extending England’s wait for a major trophy into a 56th year.

Gareth Southgate opted for just one change from Wednesday’s extra-time win over Denmark, also shifting formation to add an extra defender in Kieran Trippier. Saka dropped to the bench, while Phil Foden missed out on the matchday squad altogether due to injury.

Italy, unbeaten in 33 matches, were unchanged from their penalty shoot-out triumph over Spain in the semi-finals.

But that impressive record looked under threat with less than two minutes on the clock as England got off to the dream start.

Southgate’s switch in formation paid instant dividends. Building up from the back, Harry Kane worked the ball out wide to wing-back Trippier to deliver for opposite wing-back Shaw at the back post. And the Manchester United man made no mistake, rifling home his first England goal with a half-volley in off the post, to register the fastest goal in European Championship final history.

Wembley erupted with its incredible noise a stark reminder of just what football had been missing for the past year.

To the Italians’ credit, they reacted well to the disastrous setback. Roberto Mancini’s men popped the ball around nicely to take the sting out of the contest and turn down the heat from the stands ever so slightly.

That said, Pickford in the England goal remained unworked with Federico Chiesa going closest, doing well to fight off three challenges before dragging a left-footed shot narrowly wide of the post.

Marco Verratti then tried his luck before the half was out, but it was comfortable for Pickford.

England rarely threatened the goal at the other end with some neat link-up play just falling down around the box, but they were holding firm at the back, showing the sort of form which has already seen them to five clean sheets in this tournament.

Not impressed by his side’s start to the second period, Mancini turned to his bench on 55 minutes, introducing both Bryan Cristante and Domenico Berardi.

And Italy almost carved out a leveller straight away, Lorenzo Insigne wriggling into a good position only to be denied by Pickford from a narrowing angle.

The Everton stopper was then called into his best stop of the night just past the hour mark. Chiesa cut in from the left and bent an effort towards the bottom corner, but Pickford got down well to keep the ball out with a strong left hand.

Back came England with set pieces again looking like a key route to goal. Trippier delivered for the head of John Stones, who was denied by Donnarumma.

But it was a corner down the other end which proved the hosts’ undoing. After the loose ball fell to Verratti, Pickford made a superb low stop to tip the ball onto the post, but Bonucci was on hand to slam home the rebound, sparking pandemonium among the Italy fans behind that goal.

England needed to change something and Southgate knew it, swiftly introducing Saka off the bench in place of Trippier and switching to a back four.

Jordan Henderson also entered the action shortly afterwards with the impressive Declan Rice replaced, but the game meandered all the way to extra time.

England were first to try their luck in the additional 30 minutes, Kalvin Phillips volleying wide. Southgate went to his bench again with Aston Villa star Jack Grealish brought on to add some impetus to the attack.

Italy almost got their noses in front as the first period of extra time drew to a close as Emerson fired a cross in from the left, but Pickford did enough before the ball ricocheted to safety.

England had a couple of nearly moments of their own in the box, without testing Donnarumma so penalties were required to separate the sides.

The hosts had the early advantage after Pickford denied Andrea Belotti, with Kane and Maguire’s penalties cancelling out a Domenico Berardi strike.

However, Rashford and Sancho, who were only introduced in the final seconds of extra time, could not convert, meaning Jorginho had the chance to win it after Bonucci had successfully netted. Pickford incredibly denied the Chelsea man, but it mattered little as Saka’s strike was also saved.

England: Pickford; Walker (Sancho, 120), Stones, Maguire; Trippier (Saka, 71), Rice (Henderson, 74 (Rashford, 120)), Phillips, Shaw; Mount (Grealish, 99), Sterling; Kane.

Unused subs: James, Coady, Mings, Bellingham, Calvert-Lewin, Johnstone (g/k), Ramsdale (g/k).

Booked: Maguire.

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson (Florenzi, 118); Barella (Cristante, 55), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli, 96); Chiesa (Bernadeschi, 86), Insigne (Belotti, 90), Immobile (Berardi, 55).

Unused subs: Pessina, Acerbi, Bastoni, Toloi, Meret (g/k), Sirigu (g/k).

Booked: Bonucci, Insigne, Chiellini, Jorginho.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers.

Italy penalties: Berardi scores, Belotti saved, Bonucci scores, Bernadeschi scores, Jorginho saved.

England penalties: Kane scores, Maguire scores, Rashford misses, Sancho saved, Saka saved.