I take full responsibility for our loss in the penalty shootout – Gareth Southgate

England’s coach Gareth Southgate says he takes full responsibility for their loss in the penalty shoot-out after all his three substitutions failed to convert their spot-kick which saw Italy triumph in the Euro 2020 finals.

Southgate’s self-confessed gamble failed after he brought on Markus Rashford at Right-back and fellow club-penalty taker Jadon Sancho deep in extra time after Bukayo Saka’s earlier introduction.

Gareth’s three men introduced in the dire minute of the game all missed their spot-kick with unorthodox run-ups as Italy won the shootout 3-2 following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

England’s manager who famously missed a Euro 96 semi-final penalty, was quick to console a distraught Saka while Sancho was also in tears.

"it's my responsibility. I chose the players to take the kicks. We decided to make the changes near the end of the game, and we win and lose together as a team.

"We worked through them in training. That was the order that we came to. But that's my call. That's always the risk you take. 

“They have been by far the best at penalties in the league and to get all those attacking players on you have to do it late.

"So it was a gamble but if we gamble earlier maybe we lose the game in extra time. They have been tight throughout and that's how it is today. 

"In the end, we weren't quite able to see the game through in the normal, regulation time.

"Italy showed what an absolutely outstanding side they are but our players have done themselves proud. Every one of them has been exceptional.

"We're obviously unbelievably disappointed not to go that one step further," Southgate told ITV.