Italy lifted their second European Championship trophy after they defeated England 3-2 in penalty shoot-out in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka missed for the Three Lions as Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two penalties in a row to take his team to the title.
This is the first major international trophy that Italy have won since their 2006 FIFA World Cup win. The Azzurri had last won the continental title back in 1968. Italy had reached the final in Euro 2000 and Euro 2012, as well, but had lost to France, and Spain, respectively.
England were eyeing their first European Championship trophy and their first major international football title since winning the FIFA World Cup at home in 1966.
England full-back Luke Shaw gave England a strong start as he sent a thunderous left-footed volley past Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma into the back of the net to give his side the lead in the 2nd minute. It was the fastest goal ever scored in a Euro final.
Italy failed to get their passing game going in the first 20 minutes. Federico Chiesa had a shot from far but it went wide off the goalpost. Roberto Mancini’s team took control of the match after the half-hour mark but the equaliser didn’t come in the first half.
The second half saw a dynamic Italy put pressure on the England defence as they dominated possession. The Italian pressure almost paid off when Raheem Sterling took Lorenzo Insigne down just outside the England box.
The victory in the final completes a great turnaround in the fortunes of the Italian national team, who had failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Roberto Mancini was put in charge to bring the team back to a world class level and he has delivered a major trophy within three years.
Italy are now unbeaten in 34 straight international matches. The campaign and Italy’s long unbeaten record is similar to the national team’s performance in the run up to their FIFA World Cup win in 2006.
