Italy emerged victorious in the Euro 2020 final, securing their first European Championship title since 1968 after a dramatic penalty shootout win against England. The Azzurri’s triumph unfolded at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proving to be the hero.
The match began with a sensational start for England as Luke Shaw scored a stunning goal within the first two minutes. A swift attack saw Harry Kane distribute the ball to Kieran Trippier, whose precise cross was met by a thunderous half-volley from Shaw, marking his first international goal and sending the Wembley crowd into raptures. England’s early dominance, reminiscent of their 2018 World Cup semi-final, initially suggested they would maintain control on home turf. However, despite controlling possession, they struggled to truly test Donnarumma in the first half.
Italy, after a subdued first half, gradually asserted themselves into the game. Federico Chiesa came close with a sharp shot that narrowly missed the target, and Ciro Immobile had an effort blocked, representing Italy’s limited threats in the initial period. However, after the break, the momentum shifted. Jordan Pickford, England’s goalkeeper, was called into action, first denying Lorenzo Insigne and then palming away another attempt from the increasingly influential Chiesa. Italy’s persistent pressure eventually paid off in the 67th minute. Following a save from Pickford on an Andrea Belotti header that rebounded off the post, Leonardo Bonucci was alert to capitalize on the loose ball, leveling the score and injecting renewed energy into the Italian side.
The pattern continued into extra time, with Italy largely dictating play. While England briefly rallied in the second period of extra time, neither team could break the deadlock, leading to a penalty shootout to decide the coveted Euro Cup title. This marked the first Euro final decided by penalties since 1976.
In the tense shootout, Donnarumma’s brilliance shone. He saved crucial penalties from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, after Marcus Rashford had already hit the post. Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci, and Domenico Berardi successfully converted their penalties for Italy, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory and sparking jubilant scenes among the Italian players and fans.
The victory marked a historic moment for Italy, ending a 53-year wait for a European Championship title. For England, the defeat was a bitter disappointment in front of their home crowd. Despite a promising start to the tournament and the final itself, they fell short in their quest for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Italy’s resilience and Donnarumma’s heroics in the shootout ultimately secured their place as Euro Cup champions, sparking celebrations across Italy and solidifying their status in European football history.
