Italy Are 2021 European Champions After Beating England

The Azzuri of Italy are champions of Europe after beating England on penalties in front of their home fans at the Wembley Stadium in final. It was another penalty-shoot out for England after suffering similar fate in 1996 on home soil. The current manager, Gareth Southgate was the culprit as his penalty loss to Germany cost England a final place at Euro ‘96. England suffered penalty heartache once again as Italy won 4-2 in the shootout to win the European Championships for the second time. The sides couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of a cagey final, but it was who prevailed from in the shootout. Gareth Southgate sprung a surprise with his pre-match team selection, opting to revert to a back three, last used in the win over Germany. But after less than two minutes of action, his decision was vindicated as Luke Shaw blew the roof off Wembley with an opening goal. In a fever pitch atmosphere at Wembley, Kieran Trippier kept a cool head to find Shaw in the box with the Manchester United star firing England in front after just one minute and 57 seconds. The visitors grew into the first-half and were inches away from the equaliser after the half-four mark when Federico Chiesa’s shot fizzed past Jordan Pickford’s left post. Italy continued their dominance after break with Pickford forced to save from Lorenzo Insgine and Federico Chiesa. And with 23 minutes to go the pressured turned into a goal when Leonardo Bonnuci turned home after a goalmouth scramble. Domenico Berardi then had a wonderful chance to put Italy in front, but failed to control his volley when clean through on goal. England failed to muster anything in an attacking sense and sat deep, almost hoping for extra-time, something they achieved. But the additional 30 minutes went largely without incident, Jorginho’s dangerous tackle on Jack Grealish being the only contentious moment, with the Chelsea man handed a yellow. Southgate brought Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on for the penalties but in a cruel twist of fate, both missed with the Azzurri winning on spot kicks.