Italy vs.

England Final (Review) Kartik Shrivastava

Italy became the European Champions for the Second time, winning the championship after 53 years.
They held on their nerves in the penalty-shootout winning it 3-2 after 1-1 draw with England in
regular and extra-time.

England got a flying start in the final after Luke Shaw scored a sensational goal in the 2 nd minute.
Kieran Tripper’s cross from the right found Luke Shaw who was unmarked by the Italian defence and
smashed the goal to give England the lead.

England fans were celebrating this goal in this way as if England was going to win their first-
European Championship and the atmosphere was electric. But Italy was trying hard to come back into
the game. Italy came close in 35th minute as Federico Chiesa hit the left footed shot into the goal
which went just wide of the Post.

As the game went on to the second half, Chiesa continued to threaten for Italy. He hit a shot which
was saved by Jordan Pickford.

In the 66th minute, Italy found an equalizing goal, from an in-swinging corner caused chaos in the box.
Marco Veratti looked to head from the post but Pickford saved it and from the rebound Leonardo
Bonucci put the ball in the back of the net.

There was not much action after that goal till 90 minutes and the game went on to the Extra-time.
While both Pickford and Donnarumma had to be alert and there were not much clear cut chances till
120th minute. Neither of the side were able to break the deadlock and the game went on to Penalties.

England was looking for the glory as Pickford saved some early penalties and confident finishes from
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire. Whereas Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed
their penalties. Jorginio was in the position to score the penalty to win the championship for Italy. He
was the one who scored the winning penalty in the semi-final against Spain. His shot was saved by
Pickford, who kept the game alive for England but Bukayo Saka falied to score the last Penalty as it
was a brilliant save by Donnarumma which ended the game and Italy went on to became the
Champions for the second time in their history.

The win capped a monumental effort from Italy, who were led throughout the tournament by
the experience of captain Georgio Chellini. They will look back at their wins over both
Belgium and Spain and of course their heroic performance in the final at Wembley for years
to come.

As for England, while there are many positives to take from the tournament. As they reached
their first final since 1966. But this England side is very young and will get chances to win
major tournaments in future.

But in my opinion there were three mistakes made by England bringing substitutions of
Grelish and Henderson very late almost 5 minutes end of the game. England also played very
defensive throughout the game after that early lead, they should have created more chances
after that goal. And third mistake was the substituition of Rashford and Sancho and made
them take the penalty. Instead of Luke Shaw, Grealish, and Raheem Sterling who were
brilliant thoroughout this tournament for England.