Internationals – penalty woe for Harry’s England in Euro 2020 final

Harry Kane proudly captained England in their first major tournament final in 55 years at Wembley on Sunday night, but the occasion ended in despair as opponents Italy claimed the Euro 2020 trophy after a tense penalty shootout.

Harry played the full 90 minutes, plus an additional half-an-hour of extra time, before tucking away England’s first spot-kick, but it wasn’t to be for the Three Lions as Italy triumphed 3-2 in the shootout.

Manchester United’s Luke Shaw had given England an early advantage when he started and finished a fine move for their opening goal inside two minutes, but Italy responded after the break and levelled through Leonardo Bonucci as Gareth Southgate’s men struggled to defend a corner.

It remained 1-1 for the rest of the game, including the additional 30 minutes, meaning penalties were needed to decide the winners. After skipper Harry plus Harry Maguire scored England’s first two spot-kicks, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all fell short, the latter two denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Despite England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saving from both Andrea Belotti and Jorginho, the efforts of Domenico Berardi, Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi proved decisive in the end.

It means this summer’s international action for our players is now at an end, Giovani Lo Celso’s Copa America triumph with Argentina in the early hours of Sunday morning proving to be the highlight.