Italy continued their 34-match winning streak as it defeated England in the final of Uefa European Championship (Euro 2020) that went into penalty shootout after 1-1 scoreline despite the extra time game at the Wembley Stadium in London on Monday.
Italy defeated England 3-2 in the penalty shootout denying the home team its first title after a gap of 55 years.
The three lions missed two penalties in the shootout to miss the chance to win its first European title and its second major international cup after the 1966 World Cup.
For Italy, this is their second European title after 1968 and first since its 2006 World Cup win. This was their second final in the last three 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.
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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.
Commenting on England’s loss, Jermaine Jenas, a former England midfielder, said; “They wont be far away. They have shown during this tournament that they will be there or thereabouts for years to come.
“With a World Cup right around the corner, I can only feel that this experience they are going through right now, this hurt this pain they are sharing with the country they will be able to into that tournament as fuel to achieve something special.
“As they have done here already”.
Also commenting, Micah Richards, former England midfielder said “I’m proud of the England team, but I’m also proud of the Italian team. Mancini will finally get some credit that he deserves because his team have been outstanding throughout the entire tournament”.
