Italy win Euro 2020 final on penalties to wreck England party

Football

LONDON — Italy wrecked England's Euro  二0 二0 party at Wembley on Sunday, winning the final on penalties to plunge the host nation into despair and prolong their  五 五-year wait to win a major title.

Roberto Mancini's men recovered from the shock of conceding the quickest goal ever in a European Championship final to equalise and held their nerve to claim a  三- 二 shootout victory.

It is the second time Italy have been crowned European champions and comes after the embarrassment of failing even to qualify for the  二0 一 八 World Cup in Russia.

"We did well,"大众Mancini told RAI Sport. "We conceded a goal straight away and struggled, but then we dominated the game.

"The lads were wonderful, I don't know what more to say. It's important for all the people and all the fans. I hope they're celebrating (in Italy)."

The partisan crowd was whipped up to a state of fever pitch by rousing renditions of "Three Lions"大众and "Sweet Caroline公众before kick-off.

Both teams took the knee before the whistle in a display of solidarity against racial injustice before England raced out of the blocks.

Gareth Southgate's team were ahead in just the second minute when defender Luke Shaw finished coolly at the back post after an inviting cross from the recalled Kieran Trippier.

The goal stunned a disbelieving crowd of more than  六 七,000, mostly decked out in red and white.

In steady rain, the crowd provided a relentless wall of noise as the home side repelled Italy's attacks and threatened to increase their lead.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a fine one-handed save from Federico Chiesa's effort to preserve his side's advantage with about half an hour to go.