Euro 2020 may prove to be one of the most momentous football tournaments in history.
In the midst of a pandemic that has ravaged the world, the international competition was played in several countries across Europe for the first time, with many stadiums allowing thousands of fans to enjoy the game despite the obvious risks.
After a month of entertaining and nerve-wracking football matches, the tournament had finally come down to two teams, one of which could have made history for winning their first-ever European Football Championship.
Unfortunately for England, it wasn’t to be.
Here are 10 facts about the Euro 2020 final, where England missed their opportunity to make history.
It’s England’s First Football Final For 55 Years
England fans must have been pinching themselves for the last four days, wondering if they really had made it to the Euro 2020 final.
After all, it was their first major football tournament final for 55 years.
Back in 1966, the last time they entered a final, it was in the World Cup against West Germany (yes, it was that long ago).
England ended up winning that game 4-2.
It Was Played at Wembley, a Stadium in London
For the first time ever, the Euros was played at different stadiums across Europe.
The final, as was the semi-final and a few other games, was played at Wembley, a stadium in London, England.
Playing on your home turf can often be advantageous, as more local fans will be in the stadium to cheer and inspire you.
The home fans could also intimidate the referee with their boos into making favourable decisions for the home team.
What’s more, familiarity with the pitch, as well as having to travel less, are all seen as advantages by most football fans and players.
Over 60,000 Fans Were Allowed in the Stadium
If you’ve been watching football over the last year or so, you would have noticed that most stadiums have been empty, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.
In Euro 2020, however, fans have been let back into stadiums, with the permitted number varying based on the country’s COVID-19 situation and rules.
For the final, over 60,000 fans were allowed into Wembley, most of them, England supporters.
A small number of fans even managed to breach security and force their way into the stadium, even though they had no tickets.
In Their Last 27 Meetings, Italy Had Won 10, England Won 8
In their last 27 meetings on the field, Italy had won 10, while England were the victors in 8.
England managed 33 goals in those games, however, two more than the Italians.
So, there certainly wasn’t a wide gap between the two in terms of quality, and the final promised to be a close contest.
And indeed it was.
The First Goal Came After Just Two Minutes
After just two minutes, while some fans were still getting settled and enjoying their alcoholic drinks, England’s left-back Luke Shaw rifled home a half-volley, sending England fans all over the country into a frenzy.
It was Shaw’s first-ever goal for his country, and what a time to get it.
The defender, who plays for Manchester United, has been praised throughout the tournament for his stellar performances.
Italy Equalised, So The Game Went to Extra Time
England continued to attack throughout the first half, playing good football and threatening to score more goals, but Italy held firm in defence.
Then, at the 65th minute, Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci managed to get to the rebound of his teammate’s shot and fired it past the England goalkeeper.
Neither team managed another goal in 90 minutes, so the game had to go to extra time, which is an additional half of 30 minutes to decide the match.
No one scored in extra time either, so the match ended in the most nail-biting way possible: penalties.
Italy Won on Penalties, After Three England Players Missed
When England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved Italy’s second penalty, it seemed like the trophy would stay in London.
However, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford missed his penalty for England, as did two of his colleagues.
While Italy missed two penalties of their own, they managed to stick three into the back of the net, winning the shootout 3-2.
And just like that, they were crowned champions of Europe.
One of the Players Who Missed a Penalty Was the Youngest Player on the Pitch
One of England’s players who missed their penalty was Bukayo Saka, a forward who plays for Arsenal.
At just 19, he was the youngest player on the pitch in the final.
Despite his age, England manager Gareth Southgate trusted him to step up to the penalty spot.
Some criticised the move, with one ex-footballer saying Saka was “still a child”.
An Italian Player Mocked a Popular England Chant After Winning
Throughout the tournament, England fans have been singing and chanting the phrase “It’s coming home”, much to the annoyance of opposition fans and players.
Though the earliest forms of football are believed to have been played in China and Greece, it was codified and popularised in England.
So, by saying “It’s coming home”, English fans are implying that if they’d won, the trophy would have come back to where it belonged.
As you’d expect, players on the other side of the field didn’t take too kindly to this slogan, which is why one Italian player mocked the chant after Italy’s win.
?? Bonucci: "It's coming to Rome!"@azzurri | #ITA | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZtDM5xY1xK
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 11, 2021
Italy Now Has The Record For Longest Gap Between Euro Titles
The last time Italy won a major football tournament was in 2006, when they won the World Cup.
The last time they won the Euros was way back in 1968, when Singapore was just 3-years-old.
With their triumph in Euro 2020, Italy now holds the record for the longest gap between Euro titles – 53 years.
As for England, they won’t have to wait too long for another opportunity to lift a trophy, as the World Cup will be played next year in Qatar.
For now, though English hearts are in pieces, while Italians all over the world are over the moon.
Having watched the whole tournament, I have to say the win was certainly well-deserved.
Featured Image: M.Moira/ Shutterstock.com