Italy beat England on penalties to clinch Euro 2020

Italy ended their 53-year wait for the European Championship after they defeated England 3-2 on penalties to clinch the Euro 2020 title. The match lived up to the expectations and turned out to be a nailbiter after both teams ended 1-1 at the end of extra time. Luke Shaw got England off to a blazing start with a goal in the second minute which was nullified by Leonardo Bonucci's kick in the 67th minute. Bonucci became the oldest player to find the back of the net in a Euro final at 34 years and 71 days.

Advertisment

This was only the second instance when the European Champion was decided on penalties after 1976 Euro. Donnarumma became the hero for Azzurri after be barred Bukayo Saka’s decisive penalty by diving to left, giving Italy their sixth major title, including four World Cups and two Euro Trophies.

Italy are now only behind Germany, who have won seven trophies, on the list of most wins in major international tournaments. Italy last won the Euro in Rome in 1968, the first instance when a team won the European tournament on home soil. A win in the Euro 2020 means that Italy have ended their 53-year hiatus for Euro, which is the longest gap between two Euro titles.

The win in the final extended Italy’s unbeaten streak in international football to 34 matches. If they can stay undefeated for two more games, they will break Spain's world record of 35 consecutive unbeaten games, which they achieved during their golden run from 2007 to 2009.