Italy won the European Championship for the first time since 1968 as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two England penalties en route to a 3-2 shootout win after the teams had fought out a 1-1 extra-time draw at a raucous Wembley on Sunday.
The game started quickly as England's Luke Shaw scored just 2 minutes after kickoff — the earliest goal in a European Championship final. But Italy came out of halftime aggressive and tied things up when Leonardo Bonucci bundled the ball into England's net after a goal-line scramble.
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| Luke Shaw scores fastest goal-ever in Euro final against Italy |
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| Leonardo Bonucci bundled the ball into England's net after a goal-line scramble. |
Penalties have always been a thorn in England's history and it happened again as Italy managed to frustrate England at the Wembley Stadium in regulation time and then prevailed in the penalty shoot-out.
England missed three penalties in the shootout as Italy defeated England 3-2 in the Euro 2020 final. The loss for the home team meant their search for a second major title after their 1966 World Cup, 55 years ago, and first European title continues.
For Italy, this is their second European title after 1968 and first major title since the 2006 World Cup win. This was their second final in the last three Euro editions.
It was less than four years ago that Italy plunged to the lowest moment of its soccer history by failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in six decades. Now, they are the best team in Europe and on a national-record 34-match unbeaten run under Roberto Mancini.
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