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England’s hopes of winning their first major football championship since the 1966 World Cup were dashed on Sunday as Italy beat them in the UEFA Euro 2020 final, which took place on penalties on goal for only the second time in tournament history.
The game opened with the roar of sold-out Wembley Stadium as England midfielder Luke Shaw scored just two minutes into the game, the first goal ever to be scored in the Euro final. But in the second half, Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci scored for Italy from a corner to tie the score at 1-1.
The score would stay there during extra time, leading to a penalty shootout that ended 3-2 in favor of Italy. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma secured the victory for Italy by deflecting the last penalty shot from England substitute midfielder Bukayo Saka.
Italy have won the World Cup four times, the most recent being 2006. But this is only their second Euro victory and the first since 1968. It’s a big rebound for the national team, after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Cup.
And for England, it’s more heartbreaking for a nation used to international football. It was the country’s very first appearance in the Euro final, having reached the semi-finals only twice before in 1968 and 1996. Held in London, the final was arguably the most sporting event. Whereas England have seen it for decades, with reports of hordes of fans without tickets trying to break into the stadium before kick-off.
Before the game was over, videos of seven-year-old Prince George went viral as a field camera captured the young royal happily reacting to Shaw’s goal for England in the first half alongside his parents, The Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William. A photo of the family and a bewildered Prince George was taken later at the end of the match (watch the makeshift reversal and facial expressions, here).
England’s motto throughout the tournament was ‘it’s coming home’, so naturally now that the trophy doesn’t come home, people couldn’t resist making memes poking fun at it. ‘team – and “it’s coming to Rome”Started to be trending instead.
Fans of the England national team were quick to point out that it could be a tough night for pub owners in London as fans on either side celebrate or cry – England hosted the tournament this year . As historian Kevin Kruse Noted, “They might as well announce that the Purge has started in London.”
Check out some reactions from English fans and Azzurri below.
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