England have lost their first major final in 55 years at the hands of an impressive Italian side.
Gareth Southgate’s men took an early lead through a stunning Luke Shaw volley at the far post, which seemed to stun the Italian team.
However, Roberto Mancini’s side came back strong and managed to equalise through Leonardo Bonucci.
The deadlock wasn’t broken in the remainder of the match, and neither in extra time, so it went to penalties. Despite heroics from Pickford, unfortunately Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed their penalties, giving Italy a 3-2 win in the shootout.
England fans were gutted but understandably proud of the team regardless of the result.
Aw poor Saka.— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1626040483
Not this way. Sometimes good men have bad endings but not this way.— 🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭 (@🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭) 1626040498
Utterly and completely gutting. But that team are the absolute best of England. Nothing but pride.— Lewis Goodall (@Lewis Goodall) 1626040523
That is really, deeply, desperately unfair on Bukayo Saka. Massive credit for stepping up. But a player of that age… https://t.co/TdOD371Xww— Rory Smith (@Rory Smith) 1626040511
The best team in the tournament. Deserved winners. #ITA— Colin Millar (@Colin Millar) 1626040534
Saka we love you ❤️— What the fuck are you lot even on about (@What the fuck are you lot even on about) 1626040516
To @England: thank you. You have inspired and united our nation both on and off the pitch at every turn. We could… https://t.co/yodLN3vbZZ— Sadiq Khan (@Sadiq Khan) 1626040638
STILL OUR BOYS— Ewanescence (@Ewanescence) 1626040563
Heartbroken we lost, but still so proud of this team. They are the best of England in all its talent, teamwork and… https://t.co/cZ8pJ5JRjK— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1626040571
It’s all good Bruv I love you kid we go and smash the World Cup— Liam Gallagher (@Liam Gallagher) 1626041046
Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful content. https://t.co/UlWFc2MiEY— Joe Gilmore (@Joe Gilmore) 1626041100
RASHFORD FED THE KIDS. NEVER FORGET.— MXM (@MXM) 1626040411
How do you look at this face and think to drag him!? https://t.co/2AYiH2AnLo— #artetaout 🇬🇭 (@#artetaout 🇬🇭) 1626037247
The racist abuse I've seen targeted at these incredibly talented young players who helped take us to our first maj… https://t.co/hSoHG1wx71— 🚀MΛG!D (@🚀MΛG!D) 1626044053
I admire every player who steps up & shows the balls to take a penalty in a game that important. Especially when th… https://t.co/vg4CAM6VeX— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1626042282
Former England striker Michael Owen said on Twitter that the loss was “heartbreaking”. He added: “But this squad has a bright future and they’ve lifted the nation both on and off the pitch after a shocking year or so. Bring on the World Cup in Qatar.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the England team has “inspired and united our nation” as they lost out to Italy at penalties. He tweeted: “To England: thank you. You have inspired and united our nation both on and off the pitch at every turn.“We could not be any prouder of what you have achieved.”
All credit to Italy who was deserved winners in the end and by far the best team at the tournament.
It’s all love 💕 no malice to Italy. Just love! Well done to England on an incredible second place. Only one more ye… https://t.co/zi2Etu2AH9— Sophie Hall (@Sophie Hall) 1626040588
Being in Italy when Italy wins the #EURO2020 > https://t.co/cb3MMP7sbT— Jessica Chastain (@Jessica Chastain) 1626041012
All of us Italianising our names this weekend 🇮🇹 ⚽ https://t.co/DxdOzaQBtv— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@Ireland Simpsons Fans) 1626041273
What an incredible run. Gutted for the England team. Couldn’t have been much closer. Congratulations to Italy #EURO2020— Vikkstar123 ★ (@Vikkstar123 ★) 1626041634
half the italy team is like 5’5 so at least it’s a win for short kings— Memeulous (@Memeulous) 1626041688
Italy scored their equaliser with 66 minutes on the clock. They enjoyed 66 per cent of the possession. Some things… https://t.co/NhnbnuE9rd— MSM Monitor (@MSM Monitor) 1626042238
Southgate took full responsibility for England’s failure from the spot. “We prepared as well as we could for that and that’s my responsibility, I chose the guys to take the kicks,” he told ITV. “No one is on their own in that situation. We decided to make the changes right at the end of the game and we win and lose together as team.”
In a tweet from the KensingtonRoyal account, the Duke of Cambridge congratulated the Italian football team on their win. He said: “Heartbreaking. Congratulations @azzurri on a great victory.“@England, you’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day. You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come. W.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the England team is the “very best of our country” after their defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. He wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking. On and off the pitch, this team is the very best of our country.“They’ve done us proud.”
There’s always some gallows humour to this type of occasion and the English can do that like no other.
Right, I’m having a Campari Soda now. Didn’t want to jinx it by having one during the game— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella Lawson) 1626040637
Bet the guy who put a flare up his arse is feeling pretty foolish right now.— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) 1626040548
Solidarity to everyone putting exhausted, over-excited kids who are sobbing their hearts out to bed— Victoria Richards (@Victoria Richards) 1626041042
Rashford, Sancho and Saka just didn’t want blonde hair.— Game of Throw-ins (@Game of Throw-ins) 1626041228
Did we win over on ITV, at least?— Adam Hurrey (@Adam Hurrey) 1626041328
England: It's coming home ITALY: https://t.co/b8MM4JSivF— Khainza💕 (@Khainza💕) 1626041657
rashford was tired from carrying the government during covid— hayrr x 🇵🇸 (@hayrr x 🇵🇸) 1626041337
England only wins under a Labour government— John Rentoul (@John Rentoul) 1626041255
Still, England gave their fans some memorable moments.
The best penalty in this tournament! Harry Maguire destroyed that top corner cam! 💥 https://t.co/PMjfTHWDze— FPL Philosopey 🇲🇾 (@FPL Philosopey 🇲🇾) 1626041749
We hope Tom Cruise gets home ok – and the little car too.
Can’t wait to see what the tiny football car does next— Parker (@Parker) 1626042500
Tom Cruise looking at the tiny car for a lift home.— Liz Buckley (@Liz Buckley) 1626040562
On ITV Roy Keane said: “We said that heading to penalties, that no team deserved to lose it. Someone is always going to miss a penalty, but it is not a night to be critical of any England players, Gareth or his staff.
“Instead of criticising players that missed, I admire them for stepping up. And all credit goes to both goalkeepers for making some brilliant saves.
“A tough night for England, but sometimes you have to lose to win. The World Cup is only around the corner and these players will be the better for it. But you have to take your medicine and move on.”
Maybe next year...
Unlucky England. You did the nation proud regardless. Bravo Italia. You were the better team.