Player Ratings - England v Italy

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Alessandro Diamanti of Italy celebrates scoring the winning penalty during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.

England’s misfortune in penalty shooutouts was only underlined last night as they went out of the 2012 European Championships to 2006 World Champions Italy, losing 4-2 from the spot.

Here is how both sides fared last night

England

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Steven Gerrard of England runs with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Joe Hart – 8

Made several good saves to deny the Italians, and was calm and collected under pressure. Dealt well the threat of club-mate Mario Balotelli, and his fantastic stop to deny Alessandro Diamanti kept England in the game. Commanded his box with authority.

Glen Johnson – 7

He is better going forward than he is defending and his performance against the Azzurri only typified that. Great attacking runs and good crosses, though Federico Balzaretti was equal to his exuberance. He made several interventions at the back.

John Terry – 8

A very solid display from the Chelsea centre-back who dealt with Balotelli and Cassano very well, despite the Italian winning some duels. Was competent in the air.

Joleon Lescott – 7.5

While Terry dealt with the aerial threat, the reason the Italians couldn’t play the ball on the floor was because Lescott was so effective at the back. Shackled Cassano and kept Balotelli quiet.

Ashley Cole – 7

Could not get forward as often as he liked because of the flooded midfield, and the fact that Ashley Young was dealing with Ignazio Abate meant the Chelsea fullback could concentrate on his defensive duties, which he did very well. Saw his penalty saved by Buffon in the shootout.

Scott Parker – 6.5

The tough-tacking midfielder knew his job was going to be hard in a packed midfield but he gave it his all. He was a little cautious going into the tackle and faded as the Italians began to take control of proceedings. Subbed for Jordan Henderson in extra time.

James Milner – 5.5

One can understand why he was played on the right given the packed Italian midfield and his versatility, but he failed to offer much going forward. That being said, he was always present to help Johnson when the Italians were on the attack. Substituted for Theo Walcott after sixty minutes.

Ashley Young – 5

Polkraine has not been a good tournament for the Manchester United winger. He was full of hard work and running but failed to track back as often as England required him to, but he did go toe-to-toe with Abate for much of the game.

Steven Gerrard – 8

The Captain’s armband has breathed new life into the Liverpool heartbeat’s performances, and today was no exception. Picked out several of his teammates with neat passes and long balls, and when Italy were on the ascent, made several strong challenges to deny Cesare Prandelli’s side attacking openings. Scored England’s first penalty in the shootout.

Daniel Welbeck – 5.5

Square peg in a round hole as he was forced to play slightly deeper at times, which meat there were less attacking options going forward. Linked up well with Rooney, but didn’t put Buffon to the sword in the 32nd minute. Taken off for Andy Carroll after an hour.

Wayne Rooney – 6

Was England’s main attacking threat along with Gerrard, and he was very incisive, with his endeavour and willingness to harry Gianluigi Buffon and Co. there for all to see. Cut an increasingly frustrated figure as Italy saw more of the ball, and took his penalty excellently during the shootout.

Substitutes

Theo Walcott – 5.5

Given that he came during a time when Italy were on the ascent, he didn’t get to exhibit his trademark pace much. Still linked up well with Rooney and Young and had an immediate impact on the game, with the latter spurning the chance to shoot when put through by the Arsenal man.

Andy Carroll – 6

Used his towering presence to good effect as he seemed to relish the physical battle with the Italian defenders, playing the role of target man. Also defended well from set-pieces.

Jordan Henderson – 4.5

He was brought on to replace Parker as refresh the midfield, but failed to have the desired impact as the game seemed to pass him by.

Italy

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Gianluigi Buffon of Italy in action during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Gianluigi Buffon – 7

Saved well from Johnson in the first half and commanded his box with authority, but did not have much to do. Saved Young’s penalty in the shootout.

Federico Balzaretti – 7

A very good performance by the Palermo defender, who dealt well with Johnson and got forward to good effect.

Andrea Barzagli – 8

Assured, composed performance by the Juve man. He helped stop the English when they got forward, which was rare, and was always there to mop up at the back which was important, given that his fullbacks went forward very often.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5

Looked a bit shaky in the all-Juve centre-back pairing, and seemed to be out of sorts while dealing with the English attackers, but after the first half hour, his composure improved and he seemed more settled.

Ignazio Abate – 7

Very quiet going forward in the first half, but defended well, notably with an excellent tackle on Rooney, but made up for it in the second with his runs down the wing causing several problems for the English defence, which was not helped by the fact that Young failed to neglect his defensive duties. Put several good crosses into the box before being subbed off for Christian Maggio in second-half stoppage time.

Claudio Marchisio – 6

Quiet performance from the midfielder, punctuated with occasional bursts of brilliance that were far but few, such as the creation of his side’s first chance in the fourth minute.

Daniele de Rossi – 7.5

Relished his role as the holding midfielder and made several crucial tackles to stop the rare English forays forward. Hit the post in the first half with a brilliant volley but wasted a glorious opportunity when he fired wide from eight yards out in the second half.

Andrea Pirlo – 8

Great performance from the ex-Milan man, who had all the space in the world to play with as the English failed to close him down effectively. Pulled the strings in midfield and scored with a delightful chipped penalty down the middle. Was full of running and enthusiasm throughout the game.

Mario Balotelli – 7.5

A good performance from the oft-maligned striker. Had three opportunities from which to score, two of which were blocked by the English centre backs, while the other was saved by Hart. A constant thorn in the England defence. Scored from the spot during the shootout.

Antonio Cassano – 6.5

He looked best when playing in the hole, constantly going into pockets of space to find teammates. Tried to impose himself more on the game, but the physical presence of the English defenders denied him from doing so. Still linked up very well with his teammates.

Substitutes

Alessandro Diamanti – 6

Got straight into the thick of things after replacing Cassano in the 78th minute. Tested Hart with a free-kick three minutes after coming on, stung his fingertips again as extra-time loomed, and provided an ‘assist’ for Antonio Nocerino’s disallowed goal. Scored the winning penalty.

Christian Maggio – 5.5

Was solid defensively after coming on, and didn’t need to go forward as he let Diamanti do his own thing.

Antonio Nocerino – 5.5

Was tidy in midfield as he slotted straight in for Daniele de Rossi. Snuck in behind the English defenders to have a goal correctly ruled out for offside. Scored in the shootout.