Italy are European champions. On Sunday evening, the Squadra Azzurra defeated England 3:2 i.E. and took the crown. The game started in a very unfavourable way for Italy.
In the end, the decision came from eleven metres. Shooter against goalkeeper, the direct duel. For 120 minutes, England and Italy had put up a sacrificial fight. The Azzurri had taken more than three times as many shots on goal as the Three Lions (19:6), they had had more possession (66 per cent), and they had won more duels (52 per cent). In the end, however, after more than two hours of play, the question of the European champions was settled at the penalty spot.
Belotti and Jorginho missed for Italy, but England’s three shooters showed nerves of steel: first Rashford, then Sancho and finally Saka. And so Italy were crowned European champions for the second time since 1968. A great triumph, due in no small part to the consistency that characterised coach Roberto Mancini’s team throughout the tournament.
England in new system – Shaw scores early
While Italy had started with the same starting eleven as in the semi-final against Spain, England coach Gareth Southgate had made just one change from the Denmark game – but with it came a change of system. Trippier replaced Saka and the 4-2-3-1 became a 3-4-3, with Shaw and Trippier playing on the wings.
The Three Lions played a wide game and targeted their attacks through the wings. An approach that the Italians had problems with, especially at the beginning of the game. It took less than two minutes before England had their first chance and took it straight away: Trippier crossed from the right to the second post, Shaw ran in and took a direct shot at the five-metre area – 1-0 for England after exactly 116 seconds.
Chiesa just misses the goal
After conceding the early goal, Italy were forced to go on the offensive but the Squadra Azzurra struggled to embarrass compact England. Insigne’s free-kick was too high (8th), later Chiesa missed Italy’s best chance of the first half: The 23-year-old shook off two opponents and tried it from 20 metres, but just missed the goal (35th). Stones blocked Immobile’s shot in injury time (45.+1) and England went into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.
After the break, it was the hosts who made the first impact at London’s Wembley Stadium, but Bonucci was on hand in the nick of time to save Sterling’s shot after he had gained momentum in the Italian penalty area (48th).
The Azzurri now had to risk more and more for their part. England were pushed back and became more passive, Italy had chances, but Insigne was not precise enough with a second free-kick from a promising position (51st), before Chiesa failed to hit Pickford with a low shot (62nd). Five minutes later, the ball was in the net: Verratti headed in from a corner, Pickford did an excellent job of deflecting the ball to the post – Bonucci dusted it off (67).
Southgate reacts and switches
The 1:1 was a foregone conclusion. Southgate reacted promptly and substituted Saka for Trippier. The result was a return to 4-2-3-1, but England could not hide the fact that the goal had left its mark, even after the change of system.
Italy were on top in the second period, but substitute Berardi missed a good opportunity (73rd). Because both teams shied away from risk in the final phase, it went into extra time after 14:4 shots on goal for Italy. In extra time, both goalkeepers made one save each on sharp crosses – first Pickford from Bernardeschi (103rd), then Donnarumma from Stones (108th). Otherwise there was not too much going on in both penalty areas. It was a penalty shoot-out – with the better end for Italy.
