Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka went to the penalty spot for perhaps their most important hit on the ball so far.

But both 21-year-old Sancho and 19-year-old Saka got to see Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma save their penalties, and it did not take many minutes before the criticism came: How could national team captain Gareth Southgate let the young duo take such a big responsibility?

- The responsibility lies with me.

It's entirely up to me, says the league captain to the BBC after having comforted Saka on the inside.

The police will initiate an investigation

The storm of criticism on social media turned in some places into racist attacks and threats against, above all, Bukayo Saka.

The English Football Association FA issued a statement during the night condemning the attack.

The FA also calls on the government, the police and social media platforms to act quickly on the issue.

"The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and it is disgusting that racism on the internet has been directed at some of England's players on social media", writes the FA and continues:

"We can not be clear enough that anyone who shows such disgusting behavior is not welcome to follow our national team.

We will do everything we can to support the players and call for the toughest possible punishment for those responsible for the posts ".

London police say on Twitter that they will initiate a criminal investigation into the posts.

"No one stands alone now"

Gareth Southgate, who in the same arena himself missed a penalty in the semifinal against Germany in the European Championships in 1996, takes full responsibility.

- I took out the penalty takers according to how they were during the training.

But no one is alone now, we win as a team and lose as a team.

But when it comes to penalties, it is my responsibility, he says.

CLIP: Watch the penalty drama over and over again (July 11, 2021)

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Italy won European Championship gold after dramatic penalty shootout.

Photo: TT