Italy overcame the challenge of England at Wembley Stadium after they defeated the Three Lions on penalties in the final of Euro 2020.
England led the game in the first half after Luke Shaw scored an early goal. Leonardo Bonucci equalized the game in the second half. In the extra time, neither team showed the urgency to win it.
With this victory, Italy have redeemed themselves from failing to qualify for the World Cup 2018 to lift the European Championship. They have now won this trophy for the second time after winning it in 1968.
Roberto Mancini’s side have shown that the Azzurri are still a formidable force in world football which was in doubt following the World Cup 2018 debacle. On the other hand, England are still without a major trophy since 1966 and they are yet to win the European Championship.
Italy 1-1 England team news:
Roberto Mancini went with his preferred 4-3-3 formation and made no change in his winning combination. Ciro Immobile led the line for the Azzurri despite his struggle in the recent matches.
Gareth Southgate changed his formation and went with a 3-4-2-1 formation and made only one change to his side. Bukayo Saka had to sit out on the bench for Kieran Trippier. Harry Kane led the line for the Three Lions.
Italy 1-1 England Post-match analysis:
England straightaway scored the opening goal of this final in 2nd minute. In a quick counterattack, Kieran Trippier’s cross fell nicely for Shaw on the back post and his shot went straight into the back of the net.
England deployed counter-attacking tactics. After finding the early goal they went back and sat tight to hold onto their lead. On the other hand, Italy got back into the game as the game progressed after suffering the early blow. But, they didn’t find a way through the English backline and couldn’t create any clear openings in the first half.
Italy’s persistent pressure paid off in the middle of the second half. The Azzurri equalized from a corner kick, Leonardo Bonucci scored the goal from close range. Mancini’s side kept on going forward in the second half but failed to find the second inside the 90 minutes mark.
The first half of the extra time was quite uneventful but Italy got a half chance from Emerson’s great cross but nobody managed to utilize it. The game in the end finished level after the extra time following an uneventful thirty minutes.
Notable Performances:
Gianluigi Donnarumma: The former AC Milan goalkeeper did not have to do a lot during the game but made three consecutive penalty saves in the tie-breaker.
Jordan Pickford: The English keeper was the busier of the two and made some good saves during the game. He also saved two penalties to keep his team in the game.
Leonardo Bonucci: The veteran scored the equaliser at the most critical time of the game and also scored in the shoot-out to help his team lift the Euro 2020.
