After one month of exciting football, Italy were crowned 2020 European champions after a nervy win against England at Wembley stadium.
It is a second continental title for the Italians whose first came way back in 1968 on home soil.
Completesports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI takes a look at six notable outcomes from Sunday’s match.
Italy Are The Worthy Winners
Italy showed why they were tagged favourites of the Euro 2020 by emerging champions following their impressive performance against England.
Despite conceding an early goal in Sunday’s final, the Italians showed maturity, composure, patience and confidence as they probed for the equalizer which eventually came.
And after waiting for 53 years for another European Championship title, the Azzurri were deserved champions at this year’s edition.
Shootout Undid England After Recent Tournaments’ Good Lotteries
If there is one thing English fans dread the most, it is the lottery of penalties, which proved to be their undoing this time and the Three Lions benefited from it at recent major tournaments.
After achieving success from the spot kick at the 2018 World Cup and the UEFA Nations League in 2019, it was not to be this time against the Italians.
Despite being handed the advantage in the course of the shootout following a save by Jordan Pickford, Marcus Rashford missed his effort which handed the advantage back to the Italians.
Italy Maintains Dominance over England At Major Tournaments
Italy continued their dominance over England when it comes to major tournaments after Sunday’s win.
The Azzurri have now won their five encounters against England at major tournaments starting from 1980 Euros when they secured a 1-0 group stage win.
In the 1990 World Cup on home soil, they triumphed 2-1 in the third-place match and followed it up with a shootout win in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Euros.
And in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup Italy won 2-1 before adding another on Sunday.
England’s Long Wait For Major Trophy Success Continues
After waiting for 55 years, not a few believed England would end their long wait for a major trophy.
Right from the group stage the Three Lions impressed and were tipped as one of the teams to win.
But it was not to be as the Italians had other ideas – they ended their own long wait for the Euros since 1968.
Southgate’s Poor Substitution
One aspect which boggled the minds of people was Gareth Southgate’s poor substitution late in extra-time.
While Roberto Mancini was doing everything possible to try and win the game by making substitutions which continued to give Italy the edge, Southgate failed to react timely.
With the duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Georgio Chiellini being booked and knackered, it was an opportunity for Southgate to act by bringing on pacy forwards but he had to wait deep into extra-time before introducing Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
It seemed that he only brought them on to take penalties which did not work out as planned as both players missed their kicks.
Italy Finally Found Gianluigi Buffon’s Successor In Donnarumma
It was a surprise to many that Gianluigi Donnarumma was voted the Player of the Tournament at this year’s Euros. But the goalkeeper merited it.
If there was one thing the Italians would be grateful for, it is the fact that Gianluigi Buffon’s substantial successor has been found.
The former AC Milan keeper was outstanding for his side as he showed that his penalty heroics in their semifinal win against Spain were no fluke.
After stopping Sancho’s spot kick, Donnarumma made sure England did not get back into it by denying Bukayo Saka and eventually helping Italy to become European champions.
At just 22, Donnarumma has shown the number one position will be his for a very long time to come.
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COMMENTS
CS you’re part of the reason why people in this forum always criticised Rohr of late substitute. How can you blame Southgate of late substitutes in a match mostly dominated by Italy.?If you are a good football expert you will know that if he could make any hasty subs at that particular time the match would not even get to penalty. Sometimes, most of you sitted In the comfort of your house will think you know more than the coach and the players facing the heat by talking rubbish. The best thing England could wait for when the match got to that stage is to try their with penalties which unfortunately didn’t go their way.
It’s easy to condemn someone’s wrong decision when you have the benefit of hindsight.
In the moment, Southgate had a difficult decision to make. Italy were controlling the game, and Southgate wanted to keep England’s defensive shape. If he had gone gung ho, and brought in his pacy forwards, Italy might have caught England on the counter, or somehow taken advantage of spaces opening up in England’s defense, to score a goal. And the people blaming him now for being too conservative, will still blame him for taking too much risk!
Bottom line, Southgate took a calculated gamble, and it did not pay off. It happens even to the very best.
It’s obvious that it is not only the language we received from the English. Just look at the shameful behavior in this video. Even Nigerians, as bad as we are, are not as rowdy and unruly as this! English fans attacking Italians on the street. I hope they are not attacking Nigerians and other Africans/Blacks at this time!
FIFA needs to step in and impose a hefty fine on England. Also ban them from hosting any competitions for a period of time. Let the 3 Lions and English clubs play their matches on foreign soil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puDxS38VcE0
Hooliganism at its worst!
These racists British fans will show us the real landowners, all those second class British citizens go learn by force, a foreseen war doesn’t kill a wise cripple, I hope Eze and other black players would learn from Saka and other colored players ordeals.