Fans left devastated as England lose Euro 2020 to Italy
England lost the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium last night, beaten by Italy on penalties to see ensure their 55 years of hurt will become 56, if not even more.
Luke Shaw’s half-volleyed opener at the back post gave England the perfect start, but Gareth Southgate’s side lost control of the game and Italy’s superiority resulted in an equaliser through Leonardo Bonucci following a corner on 67 minutes. With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, extra time followed. Still parity remained, with Southgate bringing on Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford at the last moment – just in time for the young pair to take penalties.
Both would miss, however, as would Sancho’s fellow teenager Bukayo Saka with the decisive spot-kick for a 3-2 shootout defeat. The trio were the victims of racial abuse after the game, only adding to England’s misery. Italy, meanwhile, were able to celebrate a 34th straight win under Roberto Mancini and a second European Championship triumph – marking their sixth major trophy. England remain on one, still clinging to that 1966 World Cup triumph at Wembley, which was stormed by ticketless fans ahead of kick-off yesterday evening. Follow all the fallout from England’s Euro 2020 final defeat.
Euro 2020 news: PM condemns racist abuse of England trio
Boris Johnson has urged fans not to racially abuse the England football team after a barrage of hatred was unleashed against its black players.
The prime minister said people responsible for the “appalling” abuse, which is being investigated by the police, “should be ashamed of themselves”.
England lost out on their first major trophy in over half a century on Sunday night after Italy defeated them on penalties.
Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho, who failed to score their penalties, have been subjected to the worst of the abuse – posted on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
Alex Pattle12 July 2021 07:54
Euro 2020 news: Report from Wembley
Firstly, a recap of last night’s game – if you can bear to relive it. Here’s an excerpt of what our Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, had to say about the final:
“Another oh so near, and the most painful yet. England’s wait will go on to at least 56 years as Italy seize the moment, and the game, to lift their second European Championship.
“That it was penalties, and the element that Gareth Southgate was supposed to address more than any other, only added to the anguish. That it was Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka who missed only added to the unfairness of it in terms of emotion – not that Italy will see it like that. They more than deserved their win.
“The really big question that will persist on until a trophy is finally won – and England will surely never get a better chance than this – is why Southgate’s side so squandered the initiative; why a 1-0 lead was allowed to become 1-1 and then even worse.”
Alex Pattle12 July 2021 07:49
Euro 2020 news: Welcome
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s fallout from the Euro 2020 final.
Football didn’t come home in the way fans had hoped it would, despite the thrilling ride that Gareth Southgate and his players took supporters on over the last few weeks.
The Three Lions, for all of their progress and all the smashed barriers, suffered familiar heartache last night, losing on penalties to a superior Italy side.
The final was marred by fan violence at Wembley Stadium before kick-off and by the racial abuse of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka at full-time following their missed penalties in the decisive shootout.
We’ll bring you all the reaction to last night’s loss, as well as the fallout from the key stories as England were beaten by Italy.
Alex Pattle12 July 2021 07:43
