Euro 2020 Finals, Italy vs England 1-1 (3-2 on Penalties)

In a high octane game, which as expected went the total distance, Italy pipped England in the penalty shoot out 3-2 to clinch the Euro 2020 - it is going to be Rome & not Home, where the Trophy will finally rest for this edition. This was Italy's 10th major tournament final (most after Germany's 14), while it was England's first final since their World Cup triumph in 1966. Robert Mancini kept faith in the first eleven that prevailed over Spain in the semis, while Gareth Southgate made one crucial change, bringing in Trippier as right wing in place of Saka. 

In a lightning start to the game, England started with a bang, breaching through the much famed Italian defense within 2 minutes. On a swift counter attack down the flank, after thwarting an Italian corner, Trippier crossed over to an unmarked Luke Shaw, whose first timer volley ripped into the net past a startled Donnarumma. The near capacity Wembley broke into a roar like never before, as the English players huddled deliriously on the turf... it was simply magical. The Italians struggled to find their rhythm & control, & England threw bodies everywhere with vigour to deprive the Azurri Blue any real chance. Chiesa, did have a moment of brilliance, when he cut through a maze of defenders into the English box, but his final shot was tad wide, as Pickford seemed unsighted by defenders. A couple of other half chances went abegging, as England stood tall in blocking those efforts, for the half time whistle to blow. The home side, clearly were the better side on the pitch, & looked determined to hold onto the slender lead - the worry however, was the defensive mindset that it was getting into.  

Early in the 2nd half, England had a strong shout for penalty, as Raheem Sterling dived inside the Italian box again, but his protests were waved away by the referee, who saw through the theatrics. Meanwhile, the Azzuri kept knocking at the door, with better & probing combinations & the English citadel came under huge pressure, as the game opened up, with Pickford making some fine saves, under thunderous support of the home crowd. Finally, in the 67th minute, starting from a corner floated in, where a Verratti header was blocked desperately by Pickford & in the ensuing goal mouth melee, Bonucci poked in the equaliser into the back of the net. Score 1-1, as Bonucci ran upto the ramps to take in the cheers of a motley Italian support. The match thereon was a slug fest, with frayed tempers taking over frequently, as both teams pressed for the elusive winner, with Italians football on ascendency & England physicality becoming more evident, as the regular 90 minutes came to an end. 

Into extra time, Kalvin Philips had the best chance to regain lead, but his effort flew past, just wide of the post, as the crowded Italian defense heaved a sigh of relief. Gareth brought in crowd favourite Jack Grealish for Mount in around the 100th minute, & he had immediate impact with his sublime movements to create chances for England. Both teams looked to be squeezing the last sinews, as chances went abegging at both ends. Jorginho, was perhaps lucky to escape with a yellow card, for his late challenge on Grealish, as both the players wriggled in agony after the clash. With the game heading towards the end of extra time, Gareth Southgate took off two defenders, Henderson & Kyle Walker for Jadon Sancho & Marcus Rashford, with an eye for the penalties - this move in hindsight proved to be a tactical error & undoing for the English, as both the touch players, got absolutely no time to warm into the game & looked tensely unprepared. 

Into the heart breaking penalties, Berardi started for the Italians, & his low shot beat Pickford easily, while Harry Kane started for England with a super drive past Donnarumma. Andrea Belotti's shot then was confidently parried by Pickford, as the crowd bellowed in ecstasy. Harry Mcguire increased the lead for England with a powerful drive, & the Home crowd went ballistic, expecting to have pocketed the win already. However, there was far more drama in the game to come, as Bonucci scored with a piledriver to make it 2-2 in the penalties. Next in for England, Rashford, spurned his chance, his feeble shot struck the side post & went out, as Donnarumma dived the other way - a huge chance wasted by England to seal the game. Federico Bernardeschi then hit past Pickford to make it 3-2 for the Italians, as the tension mounted, & prayers started  to evolve all around the stadium. Jadon Sancho, then missed his shot too, as Donnarumma dived to his left to make the save, as the crowd went into a comatose silence in disbelief. Penalty specialist Jorginho walked in next for the 5th shot of Italy, & every English supporter turned to Pickford with prayers for a near impossible redemption. Pickford, actually did the miracle, by judging Jorginho correctly & blocked the shot from going in, as the crowd came back to life again, with hopes rising. However, last in Bukayo Saka, still in his teens, looked perplexed & tensed, & his shot was parried away by a cool Donnarumma, as the Italians broke into celebrations, & Wembley broke into uncontrollable tears - so near & yet so far. The Trophy had eluded the Home for the Rome -  The Italians had managed to tame the Three Lions, in their own backyard, against a rapturous crowd & some scintillating football. 

England played superbly today & arguably were the better side on the pitch, at least in the 1st half, though many may differ in opinion. They took the early lead, & should've extended it as well, but for some fine saves by Donnarumma, & some near misses. They were also unlucky, when Jorginho did not get a red card for his challenge on Grealish - that would've given them the crucial man advantage in the extra time. The Italians did have more of the possession, but frankly, the ball rotated amongst themselves in their own half most of the time. When England came up on attack they looked more lethal, but the finishing was below par. This is a young, exciting squad under Gareth Southgate, with tremendous bench strength & if they can hold themselves together, they should make good news in the upcoming World Cup. Harry Kane & Raheem Sterling were below par today & could not lead from the front when it really mattered, though the others were fabulous. However, I do think, the early goal was England's undoing, as celebrations in the stands took over, & probably the players dropped their guards & intensity a bit, as Italians came back strongly to gain ascendancy. Also in hindsight, Gareth Southgate's decision to bring in Rashford & Jadon Sancho in the final minutes for penalties did not ace. Questions would be raised asked on why not give Grealish or Sterling or Phillips a shot instead - they were on the ground for long enough, & had the experience & power too.- Anybody's guess really !! Records show that England have a rather dismal shootout history, having won only twice in 9 matches, which have gone to penalties - only 22% 

Italians on the other hand, looked a bit under the charge initially & lacked composure, barring a few moments of brilliance in the 1st half. 2nd half did bring them back, & Chielini, even at a ripe age of 37 yrs, marshaled the team well from behind to never give up & soaked up the pressures of the finals better - hallmark of Champions. Donnarumma, cool as a cucumber under the bar, was magnificent & deservingly has been crowned the Player of the Tournament - he had kept four clean sheets in seven appearances, clocking 719 minutes, the most by any player in this tournament. He had also managed a crucial save off Morata in the penalties against Spain, that earned them a place in the finals. While team missed Spinazzola's electric presence (he joined the team in crutches for the celebrations after the match), the never say die spirit, that Mancini has successfully injected into this team, brought them back from behind, against a rapturous crowd - Chiesa would just not give up on his piercing runs, Insigne would keep trying despite being heckled by the more physically powerful English defenders, Barella, Verratti, Jorginho controlled the  midfield, while Chielini, Bonucci, Emerson & Lorenzo kept a tidy backline - all absorbing the pressures & fighting till the last reserves of breath - none of them super stars yet, but each one shaping up to be. Today, Verratti was simply fabulous having more touches than Henderson, Phillips, Mount & Rice put together - it was a remarkable performance indeed. It was indeed an incredible game, as the tournament rose to the occasion of providing some fabulous football. For a team, which had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, this was outstanding performance to stay undefeated for 35 games & counting !! In sheer statistics, this was Italy's 6th major tournament title(4 World Cups & 2 Euros), with only Germany ahead of them at 7, amongst European sides - full credit to Roberto Mancini for the rebuilding. 

The tournament turned out to be one of the most competitive one in recent years. There were usual favourites in France, Belgium & then surfaced Spain. England were expected to do well, & Italy was the dark horse by many critics. The Azzuri, however, flying under the radar, won hearts & the tournament finally, chalking up sensational victories in the path, as Roberto Mancini conjured up a team, that endeared, soaked up pressure & pain alike, scored when reqd & defended like there was no tomorrow. Well Done Italy 🙏🙏