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July 12, 2021 The dream becomes reality.
Mancini's Italy at Wembley beat England 4-3 in the final on penalties (1-1 after 120 'thanks to goals from Shaw and Bonucci) and returned to win the European championship after 53 years from the title obtained at home in 1968. And to think that only 3 years ago this team, then coached by Ventura, had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, eliminated in the playoff by Sweden.
Mancini confirms the formation that defeated Spain with Emerson on the left, Immobile in front with Chiesa and Insigne. Southgate deploys the defense at 3: inside Trippier, forward Kane, Mount and Sterling in support. Italy with 4-3-3: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Church, Building, Insigne. England responds with 3-4-2-1: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Rice, Phillips, Shaw; Mount, Sterling; Kane. Teams before the start on their knees against racism. In the stands, among others, is the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Ready-away and Italy is under: Shaw recovers the ball and serves Kane, ball widened on the right wing for Trippier who waits and then puts a cross right on the far post where the same Shaw arrives who beats Donnarumma with a left-footed flight,1-0 England (2 ').
After the goal, English in ease, Azzurri in trouble. Italy tries to be seen at 25 'with a filter by Insigne per Chiesa, closes the defense of the British. Then on the 28 'attempt from outside Insigne, wide. Great play by Chiesa who after a tackle, stretches and tries a left foot from the edge to surprise Pickford, the ball just wide (35 '). In the first half final, the Azzurri under pressure, Immobile, Verratti and Bonucci also try. English, always dangerous on the counterattack, ahead 1-0.
In the second half English protests for a touch on Sterling (49 '), then Insigne's free kick from the edge who tries to surprise the opposing goalkeeper on his post but does not find the mirror (51'). Mancini tries to change something and inserts Cristante and Berardi for Barella and Immobile (55 '). English forward with a high header from Maguire (56 '). Very dangerous Azzurri in the 57th minute on the Chiesa-Insigne axis, but the close shot of the Neapolitan was rejected by Pickford. Still great solo by Chiesa who jumps half English defense and then with a low shot tries to surprise Pickford, good at relaxing in diving and deflecting (62 ').
Italy drew in the 67th minute: on the developments of a corner by Berardi, shot by Cristante, Verratti tried his head, Pickford saved by deflecting on the post, Bonucci pounced on the ball who made 1-1. First changes also for Southgate: inside Saka (for Trippier at 70 ') and Henderson (for Rice at 74'). Intense final, parity remains, we go to extra time.
Mancini removes an exhausted Insigne to make way for Belotti (91 '). Chiellini saves on Sterling with a desperate intervention (96 '). On the development of the corner, ball to Phillips, shot from outside to side (96 '). Mancini also inserts Locatelli in place of Verratti (96 '). Among the English also Grealish in place of Mount (100 '). Emerson's cross, good Pickford (103 '). In the 2nd half free kick from Bernardeschi's far away, Pickford saves in two times (107 '). Chills on a Donnarumma exit that barely manages to touch (109 '). The British push hard, Italy defends itself. Inside also Florenzi (for Emerson), then Rashford and sancho (for Henderson and Walker). It remains the 1-1.
The European title is decided on penalties. Berardi and Kane score from the spot, Belotti makes a mistake, English ahead with Maguire. Bonucci realizes his penalty, then English mistakes in line with Rashford and Sancho, in the middle the transformation of Berndeschi. As with Spain, Jorginho can decide, but Pickford is good and stops his shot thanks to the post. The tenth penalty is from Saka who is hypnotized by Donnarumma (three penalty wallpapers): it is the blue triumph, Italy is celebrating.