Gianluigi Donnarumma proved the hero as Italy claimed the European Championship after outlasting England in penalty kicks in the tournament’s final on Sunday.
In front of a predominantly English crowd at Wembley Stadium, the 22-year-old Italian goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks to give his country a massive advantage during the extra period. The decisive save came against 19-year-old Bukayo Saka who couldn’t beat Donnarumma on England’s fifth and final penalty, giving Italy a 3-2 victory.
After a Leonardo Bonucci goal in the 67th minute tied the game up, a 1-1 stalemate lasted through the remainder of the 90 minutes and then 30 minutes of extra time. The result set up a thrilling penalty shootout that will be remembered for decades to come.
England gained an early advantage after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford knocked away Italy’s second penalty kick from Andrea Belotti. English defender Harry McGuire followed his teammate’s save up with a confident strike to give the Three Lions a 2-1 advantage.
But that would be the final penalty that England would convert. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who were both brought on as substitutions just before the final whistle in extra time, each missed their attempts. Rashford sprayed his shot just wide of the post, while Sancho couldn’t push the ball past Donnarumma’s left side.
The final save on Saka allowed Italy to extended its international unbeaten streak to 34 straight games. The loss for England marked the country’s fourth time losing on penalty kicks in European Championship history.
𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗧.
Sako fails to beat #Donnarumma. WE’VE DONE IT!!!! 🙌
ITALY: ✅❌✅✅❌
ENGLAND: ✅✅❌❌❌#VivoAzzurro #EURO2020 #ITA #ITAENG pic.twitter.com/uaZflN8NpS— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 11, 2021
What an incredible penalty shootout. Heartbreaking for England. So many years waiting. So close.
Congrats to Italy for the comeback win.
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) July 11, 2021
We all knew if it goes to penalty shootout, it’s going to be #ITA. Donnarumma > Pickford.
— 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝘇𝘂𝗮𝗻 (@ayshardzn) July 11, 2021
Chin up boys.
You are heroes & you done the country proud.
We appreciate you. ❤️🙏🏾#ItalyEngland pic.twitter.com/sbshzHQ3MT
— Karl C. Pupé (@actionheroteach) July 11, 2021
Head up high Saka brilliant euros 💪🏿❤️ penalty’s are roulette you will come back stronger kid 🙏🏿
— Harvey (@Harveyofficial) July 11, 2021
England and penalties…..you would have thought the tide had turned…
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 11, 2021
England have now lost more penalty shoot-outs (4) than any other nation in European Championship history.
The curse was not lifted. 😔 pic.twitter.com/K79oNMMMCH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 11, 2021
The win for Italy marked a complete turnaround after missing the World Cup just a few years ago in 2018. Getting to the final was no small feat after the country made it through a heavily-favored Belgium team in the quarterfinals, before knocking off Spain in penalty kicks in the semifinals.
On the other hand, the defeat means complete heartbreak for England. The host nation couldn’t get the job done in front of a raucous crowd and have still not won an international tournament since 1966.
All in all, the European Championship exceeded expectations with thrilling play and captivating storylines. The countdown to the 2022 World Cup begins now.
The post Soccer World Reacts To Wild Italy-England Penalty Shootout appeared first on The Spun.
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