Euro 2020 FINAL HIGHLIGHTS: England denied history; Italy win in penalties

Italy defeated England 3-2 in the penalty shootout denying the home team its first title after a gap of 55 years

Italy continued their 34-match winning streak as it defeated England in the final of Uefa European Championship (Euro 2020) that went into a penalty shootout after a 1-1 scoreline after extra time at the Wembley Stadium in London on Monday. England missed three penalties in the shootout as Italy defeated England 3-2 in the Euro 2020 final. The loss for the home team meant their search for a second major title after their 1966 World Cup, 55 years ago, and first European title continues.

For Italy, this is their second European title after 1968 and first najor title since the 2006 World Cup win. This was their second final in the last three Euro editions. The high-octane clash between the two teams started with England taking the lead in the second minute of the game. However, the initial intensity in the English side dropped and they were not able to create many chances. In the second half, the Italians took control of the game and started threatening England's goalpost. The breakthrough for Italy came in the 67th minute after defender Leonardo Bonucci scored from close range.  

Euro 2020 final: England vs Italy video highlights

Italy’s unbeaten run continues under manager Roberto Mancini. They have been undefeated for 34 matches which goes back to September 2018. Since Mancini took over, he has turned the team around from after their low point of missing the bus for the 2018 World Cup. The Italians are a complete team now with efficiency their key feature. With the next World Cup to take place in 2022, the Italians will hope to continue their form.

For England, this is a major disappointment. They have never been this close to a title since the 1966 World Cup. In the history of the tournament, only thrice the home country has been able to win the tournament. In the Euro Cup 2016, the host France too lost the final against Portugal.

Many would argue that the team became overconfident. However, its undeniable that the team is on the rise. They reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018, final of Euro this year, and there is another World Cup next year. The team did not perform up to its standard in the final but the team is filled with young and exciting talents, many of whom have already shined at the club stage.

This year may not be England’s but they should learn from this defeat and start aiming to dream for next year's World Cup.

Check Brazil vs Argentinal final highlights here
 
Euro 2020 final: England vs Italy FINAL SCORE

Italy wins in the penalty shootout



Penalty shootout

Team	1st penalty	2nd penalty	3rd penalty	4th penaly	5th penalty
Italy	Scored (1-0)	Failed (1-1)	Bunocci scored (2-2)	Scored (3-2)	FAILED (3-2)
England	Kane scores (1-1)	Maguire scored (1-2)	Rashford failed (2-2)	Failed (3-2)	FAILED (3-2)

EXTRA TIME: England 1 | 1 Italy 

Two minutes remaining for penalty shootout

106th minute: England's Maguire gets yellow card for a foul on Italy's  Belotti.

Second period of extra time begins.

First period of extra time goes goalless.

FULL TIME: England 1 | 1 Italy

Italy showed amazing fortitude in bouncing back from England's early setback. The Azzurri remained focused and courageous until they ultimately equalised through Bonucci. After then, they had complete control of the midfield, but as the game against Spain should have taught them, that isn't enough to win games.

Two minutes left for extra time

Six minutes of stoppage time added after 90 minutes.

Five minutes remaining for extra time

67th minute: Leonardo Bonucci scores the equaliser for Italy.

Bunocci scores from a rebound. Photo: Uefa official website

It has been coming as Azzurris having the maximum possession. Pickford superbly turns Verratti's powerful header into the post after Berardi's right-wing corner causes issues in the England penalty area. Bonucci is the first to the rebound, hitting the ball from close range.

55th minute: Italy's Bonucci gets yellow card for a foul on England's Sterling.

HALF TIME: England 1 | 0 Italy

In attack, Immobile has suffered a lot. Mancini has a few options in this area. Belotti is the obvious choice, although Italy coach Claudio Ranieri has often used Insigne or Bernardeschi as a false nine.

FIRST HALF: England 1 | 0 Italy

4 minutes of stoppage time added after 45 minutes.

15th minute: Something is definitely wrong on the left side of Italian defence, where England's players are frequently finding plenty of room to attack.

2nd minute: Shaw gives England early lead in grande finale. Prince William and Wembley erupts with joy. Wembley is buzzing.

Manchester United's left-back Luke Shaw has scored the fastest goal in a UEFA EURO final! Kane spreads a pass out wide for Trippier as England break from an Italy corner. Shaw, who has slipped in unobserved, receives a lovely cross from the Atlético defender. He hits a precise left-footed half-volley into the back of the net, clipping the upright.

Tripper replaces Saka for Three Lions


Italy fields unchanged line-up


England's manager Southgate ahead of summit class 


WATCH: What Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini and head coach Roberto Mancini said ahead of Euro Cup 2021 final

Italy vs England head-to-head (after Euro 2020 final)
 
Both teams have fought against each other for a total of 28 times. Italy came out on top in 11 of those while England managed 8 wins. However, where it matters the most, England could win just one out of 8 competitive matches against Italy. The three lions haven’t won a match since their win against the Azzurri in a World Cup qualifying match in 1978.

What has happened in Euro Cup 2020? Check here
 
That is their only competitive win in 8 matches and since then have lost 4 and drawn 2. Their last defeat came at the group stage of 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling played for England in that defeat while Salvatore Sirigu, Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Verratti, and Ciro Immobile represented Italy. Two years prior to the 2014 World Cup, England also suffered a defeat against the Italians in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, last Euro fixture between the two side.