July 12, 2021

Penalties, regarded as a gamble in soccer, returned to haunt England again at a major tournament – with the Three Lions winning just 3 of their last 11.

Sunday night, penalty shootout misses from Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho saw England fall at the last hurdle after an energetic, composed performance against the Italians.

The loss left the nation in tears as fans, fired up by Luke Shaw’s second minute goal, adjudged the fastest in a Euros final, were left with teary eyes and moody faces in and outside Wembley. A nation was left with teary eyes.

Roberto Mancini’s men swarmed keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, best player of the tournament,  after he palmed away Saka’s penalty to win it for the Azzurri.

Gaffer Gareth Southgate tried to console his players especially Saka and Sancho, who looked crestfallen after the final whistle. At the stands, tearful supporters were seen drowning their sorrows. It was the same mood across the country after a day of high emotions and nervous anticipation.

England had got off to a dream start after left back Luke Shaw fizzed a shot into the Italian goal in the second minute – the fastest ever goal in a Euros final.

Harry Kane picked out a pinpoint pass to Kieran Trippier to fire an inch perfect cross into the path of the Manchester United defender to blast home. It was a game of two halves with England dominating the first half.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was hardly troubled in the first 45 minutes as the Italians struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

But Mancini’s men came out brimming with energy in the second half, with centre-back Leonardo Bonucci poaching one back for Italy after a messy corner.

The teams couldn’t be separated after 90 nail-biting minutes – sending the final into extra time.

But neither team was able to break the deadlock – with a penalty shootout looming. Italy scored three penalties while England managed to put two behind the net.

Overall, the game lived up to a Euro final- full of physical moments, tact, cagey sometimes but typically fluid at other times.

England’s 55 years old hoodoo still continues to hang over a nation with one of the best leagues in world football.