Italy Crowned EURO 2020 Champs!
12 July, 2021
Italy have been crowned European champions for a second time after defeating England on penalties at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night.
EURO 2020 Final
Result: Italy 1-1 England (Italy 3-2 won penalties)
Date: 11 July 2021
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Gareth Southgate made one change from the win over Denmark as Kieran Trippier replaced Bukayo Saka while the Azzurri were unchanged from the penalty shoot-out triumph over Spain.
The Three Lions got off to the perfect start as swift counter attack ended with Trippier picking out Luke Shaw, who showed great composure to volley past Gianluigu Donnarumma at the far post on three minutes.
The Italians were left shell-shocked by the early goal and struggled to get a hold of the possession in the opening 20 minutes as Jordan Pickford was yet to be tested.
Roberto Mancini's men did go close on 34 minutes when Federico Chiesa did well to skip past a couple challenges before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort that sailed just wide of Pickford's goal.
Italy were unable to find a way back into the contest in the first half, which prompted Mancini to introduce Barella and Ciro Immobile made way for Bryan Cristante and Domenico Berardi eight minute into the second stanza.
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Chiesa was proving to be Italy's biggest threat going forward and he went close to restoring parity on 61 minutes with another solo run and shot, but Pickford was on hand to make a fine save to his left.
Italy got their reward a few minutes later when defender Leonardo Bonucci fired home from close range after Marco Verratti's header crashed against the far post.
The Azzurri's hopes of finding a winner in regulation suffered a blow in the final four minutes as Chiesa was unable to continue and was replaced by his Juventus teammate Federico Benardeschi.
The clash eventually went to extra-time and Italy nearly got the go-ahead goal on 103 minutes but Bernardeschi was unable to turn home Emerson's cross at the near post before Pickford managed to clear.
Neither side would find a winning goal in extra-time, which forced the match to be decided by a penalty shoot-out as the Italians held their nerve to win their second shoot-out in a row to clinch the title.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za