UK
‘It’s down to me’: Southgate takes responsibility for England’s Euro 2020 loss against Italy
Italy have beaten England on penalties to win the European Championships in a nail-biting final at Wembley, after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.
The Three Lions managed to score the fastest ever Euros final goal after Luke Shaw fired home off the back of a Kieran Trippier cross just before the second minute, beating Spain’s sixth minute goal against the USSR in 1964.
Italy missed a free kick in the seventh minute and both Federico Chiesa and Leonardo Bonucci missed chances on goal in the first half.
Luke Shaw scored a goal just before the two-minute mark
The second half appeared tougher for England, with Italy having more chances on goal, with a missed free kick in the 49th minute and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford blocking two attempts.
After England’s first goal it took until the 63rd minute for another attempt, a header by John Stones that went high over Italy’s bar.
It was not until the 66th minute that Italy managed to score after a rebound from a Pickford save was slotted in by Bonucci.
After that, their confidence seemed to grow with Bonucci sending a ball over the England defence to Domenico Berardi whose volley just missed the top bar as Pickford raced off his line.
Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini got a yellow card for hauling Bukayo Saka back just before full-time
A pitch invader was chased off the field by four stewards near just before full-time
A fan brought play to a brief halt in the 87th minute after running onto the field, taking four stewards to remove him.
As full-time was just about to end, a yellow card was awarded to Giorgio Chiellini as he hauled Bukayo Saka to the ground by his shift, preventing him from sparking a last-minute England attack.
Nervous fans were left at the edge of their seats for another 30 minutes due to the 1-1 draw at full-time.
Extra-time saw more bold play from both sides, with attempts on both goals in an attempt to avoid another penalty shoot-out.
The introduction of Jack Grealish and Saka appeared to boost England’s hopes in the second half of extra time, but a yellow card for Italy after Jorginho’s boot smashed into Grealish’s thigh dented their rhythm.
As it became clear a penalty shoot-out was imminent, Marcus Rashford was brought on with Jadon Sancho for England.
Thousands of fans travelled to Wembley on Sunday morning and in the moments before kick-off, up to 100 people stormed security barriers and ran into the ground before security quickly stopped them.