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Italy have emerged as continental champions at the end of a thrilling Euro 2020 final against England that went right down to the wire.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's mastery in penalty shootouts proved to be the difference between England and Italy in the Euro 2020 final. It has been a wonderful tournament replete with exhilarating encounters and there was no shortage of excitement in the final either.
Euro 2020 final between England and Italy was eventually decided on penalties
Luke Shaw took the lead for England as early as the second minute after volleying home a brilliant cross from Kieran Trippier. Though England started promisingly, they were a bit too cautious after getting the goal. Italy eventually copped an equalizer which was scrappy but well deserved.
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The match then dragged onto extra time and nothing could separate the two sides. In the shootout, England could convert only two of their five penalties. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed from the spot and Italy were eventually crowned champions.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best players from the Euro 2020 final.
#5 Harry Kane (England)
Harry Kane was arguably the best player in the first half. He dropped deep to collect the ball and spread it out to the wings beautifully. It was one of those balls into Trippier that ultimately culminated in Luke Shaw's goal.
He showed a lot of enterprise and was excellent in possession. Kane shielded the ball well and it was nearly impossible to shake him off the ball. But the service to the Tottenham Hotspur marksman could have been way better.
Mason Mount failed to exercise any sort of creative influence in the game and Kane slowly faded as the game trudged on. It has been a memorable tournament for the 27-year-old who scored four goals in seven matches at the tournament.
#4 Federico Chiesa (Italy)
Federico Chiesa looked like a man on a mission and wrote a great final chapter in what has been a bit of a breakout tournament for him. We've seen glimpses of his quality for Juventus but the winger was a cut above the rest in the Euro 2020 final.
Chiesa showed plenty of initiative as he drove forward with the ball with poise and had the English defenders backpedaling in panic. He unleashed a powerful strike early on which beat Pickford but also beat the post.
Chiesa delivered quite a few exciting moments for Italy and worked tirelessly the whole night. He was forced off due to an injury but until then, he looked like the player who was likely to come up with something special for the Azzurri.
#3 Luke Shaw (England)
Luke Shaw has turned 26 today and he very nearly made it unforgettable. The Manchester United left-back has been one of the stars of the tournament and it was fitting that he was right on call to score England's opener in the final.
Shaw latched onto a brilliant Trippier cross and produced a wonderful half volley to send it home. He showcased great touch and at times, his driving runs seemed to be the only option that England could use to get forward.
He also sent a dangerous cross across the face of the Italian goal but no English players were there to collect it. But with not a lot of attacking support on offer, Shaw faded as the game stretched into extra-time.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Luke Shaw scored past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second minute of the game. But 120 minutes of football and a penalty shootout later, it was Donnarumma who had the last laugh. He couldn't have done anything about Luke Shaw's well-taken goal.
England hardly threatened Italy's goal beyond that point and Donnarumma's role was limited to distributing the ball from the back and keeping things tidy. He was once again Italy's hero in the penalty shootout and made two incredible saves off Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
Donnarumma has been consistent throughout the tournament and was rewarded with the Player of the tournament award as well. It was thoroughly deserved.
#1 Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
Experience plays a huge role in nights like these and Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini had that covered for Italy. Though they were surprised and caught off guard by Shaw's early goal, Bonucci and Chiellini held their ground after that point.
Bonucci showed just how good a leader he is and turned in a wonderful performance. He never let his levels slip and popped up in the right place to tap home a rebound from a corner to restore parity.
He added a lot of calm to Italy's backline and marshaled his troops well. Bonucci also slotted home his penalty comfortably and was always as steady and reliable as one would expect him to be.
It was an excellent performance and a well-deserved goal for one of the best defenders of the modern era.
