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Image Credit - BBC[/caption]
On a night of suspense, anxiety, and eventual sadness in a frenetic environment, England appeared to be on track for their most joyful day since 30 July 1966, when Luke Shaw gave them the excellent start after two minutes.
Italy, who had gone 33 games without losing, gradually clawed their way back into the game, drawing level in the 67th minute when Leonardo Bonucci scored after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford deflected Marco Verratti's header against the post.
After a tight extra time period failed to produce a winner, it was down to penalties and painful heartbreak for England manager Gareth Southgate and his team, who had entered the final with great expectations and strong emotions.
Three of England's five penalties were missed, with Marcus Rashford slamming the crossbar and Gianluigi Donnarumma stopping Jadon Sancho, before Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka saw his spot-kick saved by the big Italy goalkeeper.
England's Harry Kane and Harry Maguire scored, while Italy's Domenico Berardi, Bonucci, and Federico Bernardeschi scored, while Pickford kept England's drive alive with saves against Andrea Belotti and Jorginho.
Saka, a distraught 19-year-old who had shown such bravery in stepping forward, was soothed by his teammates and manager, but there was no true comfort for them or the awaiting spectators at Wembley Stadium.
England's suffering continues, but for the first 30 minutes of this game, it appeared like the moment the people had been waiting for more than 20,000 days that had finally arrived.
Southgate's side got off to a flying start, and the manager's one substitution - replacing Saka with Kieran Trippier - paid off immediately, as Trippier raced on to Kane's brilliant ball to find the onrushing Shaw at the far post, who smashed a powerful finish past Donnarumma.
England was out and running, spurred on by a raucous home crowd, and they had this brilliant, streetwise Italian team on the back foot until late in the first half, when they unexpectedly got the upper hand.
It was no surprise when Italy equalized, then seemed the more probable victors as Southgate's side, who had been so full of energy early on, began to wilt, especially after losing the excellent Declan Rice to a hit.
Southgate surprised many by waiting until extra time to bring Jack Grealish, but the game had already been set up for penalties, which it was.
Sancho and Rashford were introduced late in the game, presumably in preparation for penalties, but unfortunately for Southgate, who has gotten so much right in Euro 2020, this was one decision that did not pay off, as both of their spot-kicks were missed.
Pickford saved two penalties, but he was overcome with emotion as England's destiny was confirmed.
England came close to winning the World Cup in 2018 when they reached the semi-finals in Moscow, but this defeat will be much more painful because they cruised to the final and had the potential to win a second title in what was practically a home event with its finale at Wembley.
Image Credit - BBC[/caption]On a night of suspense, anxiety, and eventual sadness in a frenetic environment, England appeared to be on track for their most joyful day since 30 July 1966, when Luke Shaw gave them the excellent start after two minutes.
Italy, who had gone 33 games without losing, gradually clawed their way back into the game, drawing level in the 67th minute when Leonardo Bonucci scored after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford deflected Marco Verratti's header against the post.
After a tight extra time period failed to produce a winner, it was down to penalties and painful heartbreak for England manager Gareth Southgate and his team, who had entered the final with great expectations and strong emotions.
Three of England's five penalties were missed, with Marcus Rashford slamming the crossbar and Gianluigi Donnarumma stopping Jadon Sancho, before Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka saw his spot-kick saved by the big Italy goalkeeper.
England's Harry Kane and Harry Maguire scored, while Italy's Domenico Berardi, Bonucci, and Federico Bernardeschi scored, while Pickford kept England's drive alive with saves against Andrea Belotti and Jorginho.
Saka, a distraught 19-year-old who had shown such bravery in stepping forward, was soothed by his teammates and manager, but there was no true comfort for them or the awaiting spectators at Wembley Stadium.
England's suffering continues, but for the first 30 minutes of this game, it appeared like the moment the people had been waiting for more than 20,000 days that had finally arrived.
Southgate's side got off to a flying start, and the manager's one substitution - replacing Saka with Kieran Trippier - paid off immediately, as Trippier raced on to Kane's brilliant ball to find the onrushing Shaw at the far post, who smashed a powerful finish past Donnarumma.
England was out and running, spurred on by a raucous home crowd, and they had this brilliant, streetwise Italian team on the back foot until late in the first half, when they unexpectedly got the upper hand.
It was no surprise when Italy equalized, then seemed the more probable victors as Southgate's side, who had been so full of energy early on, began to wilt, especially after losing the excellent Declan Rice to a hit.
Southgate surprised many by waiting until extra time to bring Jack Grealish, but the game had already been set up for penalties, which it was.
Sancho and Rashford were introduced late in the game, presumably in preparation for penalties, but unfortunately for Southgate, who has gotten so much right in Euro 2020, this was one decision that did not pay off, as both of their spot-kicks were missed.
Pickford saved two penalties, but he was overcome with emotion as England's destiny was confirmed.
England came close to winning the World Cup in 2018 when they reached the semi-finals in Moscow, but this defeat will be much more painful because they cruised to the final and had the potential to win a second title in what was practically a home event with its finale at Wembley.
