Italy won the European Championship for the first time since 1968 as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two England penalties en route to a 3-2 shootout win after the teams had fought out a 1-1 extra-time draw at Wembley on Sunday.
The giant keeper saved from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after Marcus Rashford hit a post, as Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci and Domenico Berardi all scored for the Italians.
Italians poured into streets and squares in massive numbers celebrating a success widely seen as a rebound from the heartbreak failure of not qualifying for the last World Cup.
England took the lead with a Luke Shaw strike in the 2nd minute, the quickest ever goal in an Euro final. Leonardo Bonucci scored the equaliser for Italy in the 67th minute. The score remained 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes as well as after Extra-Time.
“You have given us a magical night,” said Italian Olympic Committee chief Giovanni Malago. Italy, where people have suffered during the coronavirus crisis and the deep economic recession provoked by the curbs, has welcomed the success with hope and relief.
Italy has ended a few years of trophy drought. England, on the other hand, was in uncharted territory. They haven’t even reached a final since 1966.
England captain Harry Kane has said the Euro Cup final loss will “hurt for the rest of our careers” but the side is on right track and hopefully they can go a step further next year. He said the players gave their all in the tournament and the England team should hold their heads high despite the loss in the final.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo claimed his first European Championship Golden Boot as EURO 2020 concluded on Sunday with Italy emerging as the champion.
Ronaldo had scored in every single group stage game for Portugal, bagging a brace against both Hungary and France. However, he had failed to find the back of the net during the 0-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
Ronaldo also became the leading goal-scorer in the history of Euros during the tournament, with his 14th strike. Meanwhile, with 109 goals, he had equalled Iran striker Ali Daei as the top scorer in international football as well.
