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| Courtesy: UEFA |
After 52 years, Italy lifted the Euro Cup on Monday at Wembley Stadium, London, after defeating England in the finals. It is their second UEFA European Championship title since they last won it in 1968.
The match began with Luke Shaw scoring in the second minute of the game for England. Italy’s score remained nil till halftime. Scores were levelled by Leonard Bonucci in the second half. Neither of the teams succeeded to score till the very end of extra time which were proceeded with Penalty Shootouts.
Both the teams scored their first penalties, but the drama began when Andrea Belotti’s shot was saved by the English keeper, Jordan Pickford while Harry Maguire scored for England. Italy was too tensed to cheer for Bonucci’s easy penalty. Although, they were brought back to the game when Rashford’s shot ricocheted back from the left post, and scores were levelled again. Jadon Sancho’s shot was then saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma and this time England was exposed to probable defeat. The English defeat was confirmed by the Italian goalkeeper as he smashed out the final English penalty from Bukayo Saka.
The tiebreaker ended with a score of Italy 3 - 2 England. Leonardo Bonucci was awarded the Star of the Match.
It was quite a comeback by the champions after conceding a goal so early in the first half. Yet that was not the only comeback. Italy had failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. Italy’s last national tournament victory was back in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Even after qualifying to the finals on two occasions, they were denied victory by France (2000) and Spain (2012). Clearly, it was a win that Giorgio Chiellini’s Team not only wanted but significantly needed.
For England, it was their first time in a Euro Cup Final. Much like the World Cup 2018, many experts anticipated that it would be an English title this year. Even the London stadium roared with the placards and chants of “It is coming home.” Unfortunately for the English fans, the results were similar to the last World Cup, from where the slogan was adopted.
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