Italy beats England in European Championship final

Italy made amends on Sunday night by beating the home side England on penalties after missing the 2018 World Cup.

This is Italy’s first major trophy since 2006 and they doubled their European Championship joining Spain and Germany in the history books.

Prior to the buildup to the European Championship final on Sunday, the soccer world was overrun by tales of England and Wembley Stadium, of the Three Lions, Harry Kane and 55 years of English heartache in major tournaments.

There was, however, a second team seeking redemption of very different kinds, a blue-clad Italian squad that happened to have played some of the finest soccer over the month-long spectacle.

The setting and the start swayed England’s way, but as a tense affair in northwest London uncoiled, from a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time to an extraordinary penalty-kick tiebreaker.

Italy has now extended the Three Lions misery and celebrated its first continental crown since 1968.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made two saves and another English attempt hit the post as the Azzuri prevailed, 3-2, in a shootout.

England appeared in its first European final and was seeking to raise a major trophy for the first time since winning the World Cup at home in 1966.

England owned the first half, taking the lead on Luke Shaw’s goal in the second minute. 

Italy ruled the second half, drawing even on Leonardo Bonucci’s in the 67th. Neither side cracked the deadlock during extra time.

England’s Jordan Pickford made two saves in the tiebreaker, including in the fifth round, which kept his team’s hopes alive. 

However, Donnarumma dived to his left to stop Bukayo Saka’s bid to clinch the title.

It was his second consecutive save, having gone in the same direction to thwart Jadon Sancho’s attempt.

England has never beaten Italy in a major tournament.

Italy has extended their unbeaten streak to 34 matches, spanning more than 2½ years.