Euro 2020

GARETH SOUTHGATE took full responsibility as three England subs missed shootout penalties in Italy’s Euro 2020 final triumph.Southgate’s self-confessed “gamble” failed after he brought on Marcus Rashford at RIGHT-BACK plus fellow club-penalty taker Jadon Sancho deep in extra time after Bukayo Saka’s earlier introduction.
Gareth Southgate knows just how Bukayo Saka feels as he tries to comfort the England sub after his penalty miss
It’s more shootout disappointment for England, but boss Gareth Southgate says who took them and when was all down to himCredit: Getty
All three missed from the spot with unorthdox run-ups as Italy won the shootout 3-2 following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Three Lions’ boss Southgate, who famously missed a Euro 96 semi-final penalty, was quick to console a distraught Saka – while Sancho was also in tears..
And Southgate told ITV: “it’s my responsibility. I chose the players to take the kicks.
“We decided to make the changes near the end of the game, and we win and lose together as a team.”
And of the penalty-takers, as well as the order, he added: “We worked through them in training. 
“That was the order that we came to. But that’s my call.”
And Southgate seemed to accept Rashford and Sancho might have been caught cold after coming on so late – as England loaded their team with attackers and regular penalty-takers.

He said: “That’s always the risk you take. They’ve been by far the best (at penalties) in the league.. and to get all those attacking players on you have to do it late.
“So it was a gamble but if we gamble earlier maybe we lose the game.in extra time.”
Southgate, though, is as proud as ever of the unity in his squad despite defeat.
He said: “They’ve been tight throughout and that’s how it is today. 
“In the end we weren’t quite able to see the game through in the normal, regulation time.
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“Italy showed what an absolutely outstanding side they are.
“But our players have done themselves proud. Everyone of them has been exceptional.”
“We’re obviously unbelievably disappointed not to go that one step further.”
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Italy hero Leonardo Bonucci screams ‘it’s coming to Rome’ into camera as England beaten in Euro 2020 final shootout More

THE tournament was a slow burner before England really got going. Sadly, it ended in heartbreak.England’s seven-game journey at Euro 2020, made up of six games at Wembley and one in Rome, started in solid fashion.
Raheem Sterling got England off to a winning start against CroatiaCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate and his team had insisted all along the only prize they wanted was the winner’s trophy.
The manner of reaching the final — to the tune of Sweet Caroline — was all very efficient. It was so very German.
All that was missing was the all- important result at the end.
It had all started positively. Southgate refused to admit it publicly but he felt there was some revenge to be had against Croatia in the opening group stage game after losing to the same nation in the semi-finals in Russia three years ago.
Southgate refused to admit it publicly but he felt there was some revenge to be had against Croatia in the opening group stage game after losing to the same nation in the semi-finals in Russia three years ago.
Raheem Sterling went into the tournament on the back of a difficult season but his 57th-minute winner was the sign of things to come.
England were decent but not spectacular. Their best player was Kalvin Phillips and keeper Jordan Pickford was barely tested by a disappointing Croatian side.
Yet there was plenty of stick flying around after the 0-0 draw with Scotland who more than deserved their point.
The lack of threat up front was a concern and Harry Kane looked to be playing at about 70 per cent.

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Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount had to quarantine after they chatted with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour, who then was found to have contracted coronavirus

Southgate was criticised for not having an extra attacking midfielder in place of either Phillips or Declan Rice.
The Three Lions manager refused to gamble and settled for a point. Had Scotland nicked a late goal there would have been uproar and a hell of a lot of pressure ahead of the final game.
Instead, the point meant that by the time England faced Czech Republic, they had already qualified for the group stages.
Against the Czechs, many fans wanted to finish second to avoid playing a team from the group of death in the last 16.
Raheem Sterling was at it again as he netted against Czech RepublicCredit: AP
But Southgate was determined to finish top of the group — although he was not helped by Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell being forced to self- isolate after being close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour.
Sterling’s 12th-minute strike was enough. After a bright start, the game against the Czechs turned into a slog and the one major bonus was Harry Maguire returning from his ankle injury.
And so it would be Germany in the last 16. You felt the Euros in this country were finally taking off.
For those supporters lucky to get a ticket, the 2-0 win was an ‘I was there’ moment.
Harry Kane is mobbed after he netted against Germany to win the Last 16 tieCredit: Getty
The win was the first major iconic moment at the stadium with over 40,000 fans celebrating wildly.
Sterling became the first player since Gary Lineker in 1986 to score England’s first three goals at a major competition.
There was also lift-off for captain Kane, who struck his first tournament goal.
Pickford made a couple of crucial saves. Maguire was immense at the back and Jack Grealish made a difference when replacing Bukayo Saka.
Harry Maguire notched his first goal of the tournament as Ukraine were thumped in the quarter-finals
England went to Rome for the quarter-finals against Ukraine oozing with confidence and Southgate’s team had too much quality for their opponents.
Kane struck twice, Maguire headed another but the best sight of the night was Jordan Henderson celebrating his first England goal on his 62nd appearance.
The semi-final against Denmark was a tense affair but the better team won.
England were also forced to come from behind and Sterling won a soft penalty for Kane to score the winner from a rebound after his poor spot-kick was saved.
Harry Kane saw his penalty saved – but he netted the rebound that proved to be the winnerCredit: AP
England’s captain was chased to celebrate by an emotional Phil FodenCredit: AP
But VAR failed to spot that Mikkel Damsgaard’s free-kick for 1-0 should have been disallowed because Danish players moved within one metre of the England wall just before the set-piece.
But after Simon Kjaer’s own goal levelled for England, Southgate’s team took control and looked much fresher.
And the night was topped off by Southgate and his men singing Sweet Caroline with the England supporters.
England were left devastated losing the final to Italy on penaltiesCredit: Reuters
Then the final against Italy last night.
The biggest night for 55 years and although the result was not the right one, England’s fans will look back on these seven matches with a host of memories.
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BORIS Johnson has praised England for “playing like heroes” after the team lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.The PM declared Gareth Southgate’s squad “deserve great credit” for making it through to the nail-biting showdown – but described the defeat as “heartbreaking”.
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Boris Johnson and Carrie roared with delight as the Three Lions took the lead against Italy in the second minute of the Euro 2020 finalCredit: The Sun
The PM (far left) hugs Carrie as Kate Middleton, Prince George and Prince William celebrate the goalCredit: The Sun
Boris Johnson and Carrie clapped on from the standsCredit: Reuters
The PM donned an England shirt as he roared the team onto the fieldCredit: Getty
Boris Johnson, David Beckham and Carrie Symonds pose together at the Euro finalCredit: Getty
Luke Shaw gave England the perfect start after scoring within the first two minutesCredit: Reuters
The Prime Minister described England’s defeat as ‘heartbreaking’ but said the team ‘deserve great credit’Credit: Twitter
Boris, who attended the match with wife Carrie, tweeted after Italy clinched the win: “That was a heartbreaking result to end #Euro2020 but Gareth Southgate and his @England squad played like heroes.
“They have done the nation proud and deserve great credit.”
Boris had earlier roared with delight when the Three Lions took the lead in the second minute of the game.
He was pictured applauding the team after Luke Shaw fizzed a shot into the Italy net – sending Wembley wild.
But Roberto Mancini’s side equalised through Leonardo Bonucci after the break.
The couple were joined by a host of famous figures in the stands, including Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince George.
It comes as…

Eager fans rushed the barriers at Wembley stadium and pushed past barricades hours before kick-off
RAF Red Arrows flew over Wembley to cheer on England just before they take to the field
Sir Geoff Hurst danced with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner to belt out ‘It’s Coming Home’
Rio Ferdinand was hit by a beer after leading a chant of ‘Sterling’s on fire’ outside Wembley
Glam WAGS, including Harry Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins and Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison, arrived at Wembley to cheer on the Three Lions

The Duke of Cambridge also shared a message with the team after Italy lifted the trophy.
He said: “You’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day.
“You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come.”
‘MORE TO COME’
Excitement reached fever pitch before kick-off as a giant replica Euros trophy was wheeled into the centre of the hallowed Wembley turf.
Three quarters of the stadium was a sea of red and white as lionhearts packed the stadium, where capacity was reduced to 65,000.
And thousands of fans descended on the square to party and share in the excitement ahead of kickoff.
It comes after the PM earlier urged England to “bring it home”.
Posting a clip on Twitter, Boris said: “Best of luck to England tonight.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far, but we are all hoping you can go one better and bring it home tonight.”
His words were accompanied by a brass band version of the unofficial England football anthem Sweet Caroline, and the Prime Minister added: “Football’s coming home!”

Wembley was rocking as the team took to the fieldCredit: Reuters
Oliver Dowden, Peter Shilton, Boris Johnson and Tom Cruise are pictured together before the gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
England fans cheer at St Martin-in-the-Fields near Trafalgar Square in LondonCredit: AP
Boris yesterday praised the England team for lifting the spirits of the nation with their “energy and tenacity” throughout Euro 2020 cup.
The PM said the Three Lions had “already made history” as they prepare to face Italy in the final after a string of historic victories at the tournament.
Mr Johnson was among a string of famous public figures, including the Queen, to offer their support yesterday.
No 10 Downing Street was also decked out in St George’s flags ahead of the final.
In a letter to the team ahead of the final, the PM wrote: “You have taken England into the final of a major international competition. For most people in this country, it is the first time this has happened in all their lives.
“You have forged a band of brothers whose energy and tenacity and teamwork – and sheer flair – seem to shine in everything you do.

“You have lifted the spirits of the whole country, and tomorrow we know you can lift that trophy too.
“We are not just hoping or praying. We believe in you, Gareth, and your incredible squad.
“On behalf of the entire nation, good luck, have a great game – and bring it home!”
Lucky charm Prince George goes wild with Kate Middleton and William as England scores in first minutes of Euro 2020 final More

JACK GREALISH came off the bench for England against Italy in the Euro 2020 final – leaving one cheeky fan delighted.A blonde woman was caught on TV cameras waving a football shirt with ‘Mrs Grealish 69’ on the back as her hero came on.
This fan is clearly a big fan of Jack Grealish – and seemingly wants him to join Man Utd too
Jack Grealish came on in extra-time – and one fan in particular was delightedCredit: Reuters
Mrs. Grealish 69 on a United shirt my head’s fallen off 😭— Oli (@oli_v3r) July 11, 2021

And she was not finished their with her hopefulness – she was holding up a Manchester United ‘Zebra’ shirt.
The Red Devils are just one of the clubs Grealish has been linked with, despite his side Aston Villa being desperate to keep hold of him.
Unsurprisingly, the clip of her showing her love for Grealish was the talk of Twitter.
‘Oli’ wrote that his ‘head had fallen off’ after seeing the excited fan with another adding that she was ‘a hero’.
Luis Paez-Pumar posted that the woman was his ‘new icon’ while Mike Williams wrote that seeing her left him ‘howling’.
Unfortunately the fan, like the rest of the nation, won’t have left Wembley too happy.
England fell to a 3-2 penalty shoot-out loss to Italy as the wait to win a major tournament goes on.
The game was tied 1-1 after normal time and then extra-time.

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Mrs Grealish 69 is my hero— Dula Peeperoni (@alxinnw) July 11, 2021

We’re all Mrs Grealish 69 tonight aren’t we to be fair— Grundy’s Coming Home (@GrundyOxford) July 11, 2021

my heart goes out to the girl with the mrs grealish 69 top, love u icon x— erin (@erin13west) July 11, 2021

Luke haw had fired the Three Lions into a stunning two-minute lead with an inch-perfect volley from Kieran Trippier’s cross.
But rugged centre-half Leonardo Bonucci levelled things up on 67 minutes.
It was no more than Italy deserved, with Roberto Mancini’s side dominating possession and having far more chances on goal.
But in the end it was the dreaded spot-kicks that separated the two sides as Italy won Euro 2020.
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Italy beat heartbroken England to win Euro 2020 More