LONDON — The narrative of Italian soccer’s restoration is now complete. England’s arduous 50-year search for a major trophy continues.
It had to be due to a penalty shootout, right?
“It’s on its way to Rome. During the celebrations, Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci yelled into a TV camera, mimicking the famous phrase from the England team’s hymn, “It’s coming to Rome.”
After Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy’s imposing goalkeeper, dove to his left and stopped the decisive spot-kick by 19-year-old Londoner Bukayo Saka, one of England’s youngest players, it was total dejection for England – they know the feeling so well when it comes to penalties.
At the completion of the second penalty shootout in a European Championship final, Donnarumma was swarmed by his teammates as they ran toward him from the halfway line while Saka and Sancho wept.
The joyful Italian players then raced to the opposite end of the field and dived to the ground in front of the Italian supporters who had seen their national team’s rebirth.
As Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini raised the Henri Delaunay trophy in front of pyrotechnics and ticker tape, Mancini joined his men on the stage.
“It seemed difficult to even imagine this at one point,” Mancini said, “but the boys were absolutely incredible.” I’m at a loss for words when it comes to them.”
England captain Harry Kane remarked, “The lads couldn’t have offered more.” “When you lose, penalties are the worst feeling in the world.” It’s been a fantastic tournament, and we should be proud of ourselves. It’s going to hurt right now, and it’ll hurt for a while.”
Luke Shaw scored the fastest goal in a European Championship final by meeting a cross from opposite wing-back Kieran Trippier with a half-volley that went in off the post in the second minute, making it England’s first major final in 55 years.
In the entire 120 minutes, that was the only time Italy’s notoriously tough defense was breached.
After Shaw’s goal, England had very little possession of the ball for the rest of the game.
It was a well-deserved equalizer for Italy, and Bonucci was the unexpected scorer. After a right-wing corner was passed on to Marco Verratti, whose stooping header was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, he tapped the ball in from close range.
England held on for an extra time, as it had done in three of the previous six European championships, and had the better of the closing phases.
It’s just not the shootout this time.
Pickford pushed the attempt against the post, and the midfielder who converted the key penalty in a shootout triumph over Spain in the semifinals also failed to score.
Donnarumma subsequently made the key saves, and he was awarded player of the tournament within minutes, being the first goalie to do so.
As a result, instead of returning home, the trophy is on its way to Rome.