Italy reigns as European Cup Champions!
The score remained tied 1-1 after ninety minutes of regulation play and thirty minutes of extra time, and the championship came down to a best-of-5 in penalty kicks. Italy won, 3-2, capitalizing on England’s missed opportunities.
It didn’t start that way for the home-standing British. Luke Shaw scored in the first minute and 57 seconds of play, marking the fastest ever goal in a European Championship final. But the game was far from over. Italy fought its way back to tie the match courtesy of Leonardo Bonucci’s goal at the 67-minute mark.
The partisan, mostly English crowd cheered on the home team. But the heroics of Italian goaltender Gianluigi Donnarumma (stopping 3 of 5 attempts) spoiled what would have been an earthshaking win for the Brits.
England’s last celebration dates all the way back to the 1966 World Cup. Penalty kicks continue to stifle the club’s quest for a major international title. But it was a redemption story for Italy, winning Euro 2020 after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Brava, Italia! For England, it was close, but no cigar.
