England 1-1 (2-3 on penalties) Italy: 5 talking points as Azzurri clinch European championship | UEFA Euro 2020

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final
Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

#3 More penalty drama at Euro 2020

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Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final
Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

This edition of the European Championship saw several games head past extra-time and into penalties. The final was no different as neither side could get a winner after 120 minutes and the game had to be decided by penalties.

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Italy took the first penalty kick with Berardi converting calmly to give Italy the lead. England captain Harry Kane went next and emphatically leveled the scores.

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Torino striker Andrea Belotti took the next penalty kick for Italy but did not do enough to beat Pickford in the England goal, allowing Harry Maguire to hand England the lead on his attempt which was England's second.

However, England lost their final three kicks with Marcus Rashford hitting the post with his effort, while Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka had their efforts saved by Donnarumma which ultimately clinched the win for Italy.

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#2 The Mancini Revolution at Italy is complete

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final
Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

Roberto Mancini was appointed Italy manager in 2018 after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup. He was tasked with restructuring the national side after their unfortunate World Cup qualifying campaign.

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Mancini's assignment was a very difficult one to say the least, however the seasoned manager expertly handled the task.

He slowly and expertly moved on a few older players and injected the team with youth and vibrancy to set up a very impressive balance of youth and experience.

In Mancini's first five games in charge of the historic nation, he managed just one win while losing twice.

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However, he ignored reports of his supposed failure with the nation and kept faith with his philosophy, leading the team to a 34-game unbeaten run, which saw them win the European Championship.

The Italians were among the favorites coming into the tournament and lived up to their billing as they scored 13 goals and conceded just four times in a very impressive and deserving Euro 2020 triumph.


#1 It's going to Rome

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final
Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

England fans heralded the cry of 'It's Coming Home' as they longed to end their 52-year wait for a trophy at the 2018 World Cup. However, it eluded the Three Lions as they exited the competition in the semifinals.

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Euro 2020 was another chance for the Premier League stars to once again secure silverware for the nation and once again 'It's Coming Home' chants were heard across the country.

For every game won by the Three Lions and for every hurdle scaled, belief was high across the country as it looked like the five decade long wait was finally over.

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England's qualification for the final was an achievement in itself as they had not qualified for the final of a major tournament in as many years with their last final appearance coming in the 1966 World Cup which they won.

In a nail-bitting contest, the Three Lions could not get past the Italians and had to settle for second place as the trophy looked set to head to Rome.

However, with another World Cup coming next year, it won't be long before we hear those three-word chants again.

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Edited by Ashwin
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