England’s attempt to end a 55-year drought for a major trophy ended in the familiar heartbreak in a penalty shootout as Italy won Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium.
On a night of suspense, anxiety, and eventual sadness in a heated environment, England appeared to be on track for their most joyful day since July 30, 1966, when Luke Shaw gave them the ideal start after two minutes.
Italy, who had gone undefeated in 33 games before this final, gradually clawed their way back into the game and were level in the 67th minute when Leonardo Bonucci took advantage after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford deflected Marco Verratti’s header on to a post.
After a tense spell of extra time failed to produce a winner, it was down to penalties and painful despair for England manager Gareth Southgate and his players, who had approached this final on a wave of expectation and high emotion.
England missed three of their five penalties, with Marcus Rashford hitting the crossbar and Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Jadon Sancho and Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka.
England’s Harry Kane and Harry Maguire scored, but while Pickford kept England’s hopes alive with saves from Andrea Belotti and Jorginho, Italy’s Domenico Berardi, Bonucci, and Federico Bernardeschi scored.
Italy have won their second European Championship title, and first in 53 years (also 1968); it’s the longest ever gap between championships in the tournament by a single nation, surpassing Spain’s 44-year wait from 1964 to 2008.
