England players look on during the penalty shootout
(Picture: Pool via REUTERS)England have lost their first major final in 55 years at the hands of an impressive Italian side.
Gareth Southgate’s men took an early lead through a stunning Luke Shaw volley at the far post, which seemed to stun the Italian team.
However, Roberto Mancini’s side came back strong and managed to equalise through Leonardo Bonucci.
The deadlock wasn’t broken in the remainder of the match, and neither in extra time, so it went to penalties. Despite heroics from Pickford, unfortunately Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed their penalties, giving Italy a 3-2 win in the shootout.
England fans were gutted but understandably proud of the team regardless of the result.
Aw poor Saka.
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) July 11, 2021
Not this way. Sometimes good men have bad endings but not this way.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) July 11, 2021
Utterly and completely gutting. But that team are the absolute best of England. Nothing but pride.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) July 11, 2021
That is really, deeply, desperately unfair on Bukayo Saka. Massive credit for stepping up. But a player of that age, taking a penalty with all that riding on it? Come on.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) July 11, 2021
The best team in the tournament. Deserved winners. #ITA
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) July 11, 2021
Saka we love you ❤️
— Ol’ Grandpa Dinners (@tom_usher_) July 11, 2021
To @England: thank you. You have inspired and united our nation both on and off the pitch at every turn.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 11, 2021
We could not be any prouder of what you have achieved.
We still believe. #England 🏴 ❤ pic.twitter.com/TweL9lqq1L
STILL OUR BOYS
— Light and Ewa-meral Things (@EwaSR) July 11, 2021
Heartbroken we lost, but still so proud of this team. They are the best of England in all its talent, teamwork and inclusivity. A couple more years of hurt will never stop us dreaming. #Euro2020Final pic.twitter.com/KIGG0IKiZ4
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 11, 2021
It’s all good Bruv I love you kid we go and smash the World Cup
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) July 11, 2021
You know what - I thought Southgate was a top nerd for ages, but this Euros he’s really shown he’s one of the hardest guys going. His mentality is unreal
— Ol’ Grandpa Dinners (@tom_usher_) July 11, 2021
Lived it. Loved it.
— Joe Gilmore (@Gilology) July 11, 2021
Farewell beautiful content. pic.twitter.com/UlWFc2MiEY
RASHFORD FED THE KIDS. NEVER FORGET.
— MXM (@mxmsworld) July 11, 2021
How do you look at this face and think to drag him!? pic.twitter.com/2AYiH2AnLo
— A Kevin De Bruyne Stan Account 🇬🇭 (@ilovearsenal02) July 11, 2021
The racist abuse I've seen targeted at these incredibly talented young players who helped take us to our first major tournament final in 55 years has been vile and disgusting.
— 🚀MΛG!D (@MagicMagid) July 11, 2021
England wouldn't have achieved what it did without them. They deserve all our love and support! x pic.twitter.com/ks482xsHo3
Never eating a cornetto again
— shon faye. (@shonfaye) July 11, 2021
I admire every player who steps up & shows the balls to take a penalty in a game that important. Especially when they’re just 19, 21 & 23. Proud of you @BukayoSaka87 @Sanchooo10 @MarcusRashford- you missed, and we lost, but you’ve all got guts. pic.twitter.com/YOBP4bmpBd
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 11, 2021
Former England striker Michael Owen said on Twitter that the loss was “heartbreaking”. He added: “But this squad has a bright future and they’ve lifted the nation both on and off the pitch after a shocking year or so. Bring on the World Cup in Qatar.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the England team has “inspired and united our nation” as they lost out to Italy at penalties. He tweeted: “To England: thank you. You have inspired and united our nation both on and off the pitch at every turn.“We could not be any prouder of what you have achieved.”
All credit to Italy who was deserved winners in the end and by far the best team at the tournament.
It’s all love 💕 no malice to Italy. Just love! Well done to England on an incredible second place. Only one more year until another tournament of memes, jokes and joy again!
— nothing but good vibes (@SophLouiseHall) July 11, 2021
Being in Italy when Italy wins the #EURO2020 > pic.twitter.com/cb3MMP7sbT
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 11, 2021
All of us Italianising our names this weekend 🇮🇹 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/DxdOzaQBtv
— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@iresimpsonsfans) July 11, 2021
What an incredible run. Gutted for the England team. Couldn’t have been much closer. Congratulations to Italy #EURO2020
— Vikkstar ★ (@Vikkstar123) July 11, 2021
half the italy team is like 5’5 so at least it’s a win for short kings
— Memeulous (@Memeulous) July 11, 2021
Italy scored their equaliser with 66 minutes on the clock. They enjoyed 66 per cent of the possession.
— MSM Monitor (@msm_monitor) July 11, 2021
Some things are just fated to happen.#Italy #Euro2020Final pic.twitter.com/Uy56vqUC79
Southgate took full responsibility for England’s failure from the spot. “We prepared as well as we could for that and that’s my responsibility, I chose the guys to take the kicks,” he told ITV. “No one is on their own in that situation. We decided to make the changes right at the end of the game and we win and lose together as team.”
In a tweet from the KensingtonRoyal account, the Duke of Cambridge congratulated the Italian football team on their win. He said: “Heartbreaking. Congratulations @azzurri on a great victory.“@England, you’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day. You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come. W.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the England team is the “very best of our country” after their defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. He wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking. On and off the pitch, this team is the very best of our country.“They’ve done us proud.”
There’s always some gallows humour to this type of occasion and the English can do that like no other.
Right, I’m having a Campari Soda now. Didn’t want to jinx it by having one during the game
— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) July 11, 2021
Bet the guy who put a flare up his arse is feeling pretty foolish right now.
— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) July 11, 2021
Solidarity to everyone putting exhausted, over-excited kids who are sobbing their hearts out to bed
— Victoria Richards (@nakedvix) July 11, 2021
Rashford, Sancho and Saka just didn’t want blonde hair.
— Game of Euros-ins (@GameofThrowIns) July 11, 2021
Did we win over on ITV, at least?
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) July 11, 2021
England: It's coming home
— Khainza💕 (@Kyozos_Bae) July 11, 2021
ITALY: pic.twitter.com/b8MM4JSivF
rashford was tired from carrying the government during covid
— hayrr x 🇵🇸 (@hayrr) July 11, 2021
England only wins under a Labour government
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) July 11, 2021
Still, England gave their fans some memorable moments.
The best penalty in this tournament! Harry Maguire destroyed that top corner cam! 💥 pic.twitter.com/PMjfTHWDze
— FPL Philosopey 🏴 (@Philosopey) July 11, 2021
We hope Tom Cruise gets home ok – and the little car too.
Can’t wait to see what the tiny football car does next
— Parker (@panoparker) July 11, 2021
Tom Cruise looking at the tiny car for a lift home.
— Liz Buckley (@liz_buckley) July 11, 2021
On ITV Roy Keane said: “We said that heading to penalties, that no team deserved to lose it. Someone is always going to miss a penalty, but it is not a night to be critical of any England players, Gareth or his staff.
“Instead of criticising players that missed, I admire them for stepping up. And all credit goes to both goalkeepers for making some brilliant saves.
“A tough night for England, but sometimes you have to lose to win. The World Cup is only around the corner and these players will be the better for it. But you have to take your medicine and move on.”
Maybe next year...
Qatar 2022 #ItsComingHome pic.twitter.com/IMGIoRkMGq
— Politics For All (@PoliticsForAlI) July 11, 2021
Unlucky England. You did the nation proud regardless. Bravo Italia. You were the better team.
