Italy beat England in a penalty shootout to win the European soccer championship on Sunday, dashing England’s hopes of winning its first major title since the 1966 World Cup.
The shootout was a dramatic conclusion to a gripping day at London’s Wembley Stadium, and to a monthlong tournament that overcame a one-year pandemic delays and dozens of positive tests and innumerable public health concerns on its way to a final, scintillating day in London.
The final was worth the wait: It saw an early England goal by Luke Shaw, a second-half response from Leonardo Bonucci and then a whirlwind of highs and lows, misses and makes, before Italy prevailed in the shootout, 3-2.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy’s hulking goalkeeper, pushed aside the final attempt by the England teenager Buyako Saka to clinch the victory, setting off a wild celebration that saw players from each team dissolve into tears.
DONNARUMMA SAVES THE PENALTY!
ITALY ARE #EURO2020 CHAMPIONS ?? pic.twitter.com/qZE20KQMCG— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2021
