Italy emerged victorious in the European Championship, clinching the title for the first time since 1968. The Euro Cup Italy final saw a dramatic penalty shootout where Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics sealed a 3-2 win against England after a 1-1 draw. The thrilling match, held at Wembley on Sunday, captivated fans worldwide.
The final of Euro Cup Italy was a tense affair that extended into extra time, culminating in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Donnarumma proved to be the ultimate wall for Italy, saving crucial penalties from England’s Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. Marcus Rashford also faltered, hitting the post, while Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci, and Domenico Berardi successfully converted their penalties for Italy.
England had initially seized the momentum with a stunningly quick goal from Luke Shaw just two minutes into the game. A brilliant play initiated by Harry Kane, who passed the ball to Kieran Trippier, resulted in a precise cross that Shaw volleyed into the net, marking his first international goal. However, despite this early lead, England struggled to maintain dominance as Italy gradually asserted themselves. The first half saw Italy largely on the defensive, but they returned after the break with renewed vigor.
Italy’s resurgence paid off in the 67th minute when Bonucci leveled the score. This equalizer came after a period of sustained pressure from Italy, who had begun to dictate the flow of the game. Prior to the goal, England seemed content to sit back and defend their narrow lead, a strategy that ultimately backfired. The equalizer shifted the dynamic, setting the stage for a gripping final stretch.
The match proceeded into extra time, mirroring the intensity of the preceding 90 minutes. Both teams battled fiercely, but neither could break the deadlock, leading to the decisive penalty shootout. This Euro Cup Italy final marked the first time a European Championship final was decided on penalties since 1976, adding to the historical significance of Italy’s win. For Italy, this victory was particularly sweet, especially after their previous final defeats in 2000 and 2012.
While the Euro Cup Italy victory sparked joyous celebrations across Italy, it was a bitter disappointment for England. Despite playing on home soil in front of 67,000 passionate fans at Wembley, England fell short of securing their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. The loss was particularly heart-wrenching for the young English squad, who had raised hopes of ending the nation’s long wait for silverware.
The initial optimism for England following Shaw’s early goal contrasted sharply with the growing control exerted by Italy as the match progressed. In the first half, Italy’s attempts were limited to a shot wide from Federico Chiesa and a blocked effort from Ciro Immobile. However, after halftime, Italy’s pressure intensified. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action, saving shots from Lorenzo Insigne and Chiesa, before Bonucci eventually found the net.
The pattern continued into extra time, with Italy maintaining the upper hand. Although England briefly rallied in the second period of extra time, neither side could create a decisive chance. Ultimately, in the penalty shootout, Italy’s composure and Donnarumma’s brilliance secured their Euro Cup Italy title, leaving England to reflect on what might have been.
Source: Reuters
