A spot more drama! England v Italy goes to penalties after sides were locked at 1-1

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England have lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy, extending the Three Lions’ 55 years of hurt with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missing from 12 yards like manager Gareth Southgate in 1996. 

Despite two saves by Jordan Pickford, England missed three consecutive penalties crowning Italy champions and breaking hearts in front of 60,000 fans at Wembley. 

Nineteen-year-old Saka was consoled by Southgate as spot kicks came back to haunt the manager 25 years after his miss in the semi-finals of the same tournament.

In a bitter irony it was the substituted penalty specialists Rashford and Sancho who failed to score before Saka who broke down in tears.

Prince George looked shattered as William and Kate comforted him after a first half that had the royal box rocking. 

But after Luke Shaw’s stunning early goal – the fastest ever in a European final – England’s nerves were shot to pieces as the Italians ran them ragged in the second half. 

They were dealt a hammer blow on the 67th minute as Leonardo Bonucci equalised with a scrappy goal, leaving the Three Lions hanging on until the full-time whistle. 

A frantic two periods of extra time followed, with both sides capable of seizing victory, before the final whistle and the dreaded spot kicks. 

Boris Johnson said England ‘played like heroes’, adding: ‘They have done the nation proud and deserve great credit.’ 

But tears flowed along Wembley way after the heartbreaking finish to go along with the despair of thousands of fans who ended up locked out of the stadium. 

Two schoolboys were hurried along in tears and held their father’s hands. The man told MailOnline: ‘It’s going to take some work to be lifting these boys. They had so much hope just like the rest of the country. But once again we just crashed at the last moment. Are we ever going to win anything?’ 

Delia Smith told MailOnline as she left: ‘There is a a lot to be hopeful for. We should be very proud of the team.’ 

Gary Willins, 27, of East Ham, said: ‘It is a shocking end. And I penalties were shocking. We do this every time. We always get let down.

‘It doesn’t matter about what Gareth Southgate has done. We are just losers once again.’

Alicia southern, 17, wiped away tears as she said: ‘This is so painful. I can’t help crying when I think about the players and how much they have lifted us.’

Lisa Sparkes, 44, a college family officer from Camberley, Surrey, said: ‘The players can still hold our heads up high.

‘And so can we as a country. We have been all brought together in such a lovely way and that is the big positive out of all this.

‘Okay we didn’t win the cup competition, but that’s not always what matters most. He has been a wonderful four weeks and we should all be so proud.’

There was heartbreak as well for hundreds of thousands in central London, many of whom had travelled from across the country to the capital to soak up the atmosphere.  

Outside The Queens Head pub near Piccadilly Circus, supporters screamed in disappointment and the sound of glass shattering could be heard along with chants for the England team and the Three Lions song.

One man dejectedly removed England flags from his car before getting into it, while another was seen throwing traffic cones in the main road in frustration.

Stephanie Moothoosawmy, 24, from Essex, watched the game with friends in Oxford Circus on her phone.

She said: ‘It’s disappointing and I’m sure many people are really emotional. There was a lot riding on this match and England still played a great game.

‘The important thing is that we don’t let this loss define us. I’m still really proud.’

In Trafalgar Square some fans began singing the national anthem, cheering the Three Lions’ accomplishments despite the defeat.

In Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan, Greater Manchester, Mary Thomas, 64, said: ‘To lose it at the last kick of the game, last kick of the tournament, is a sickener.

‘That was a horrible way to end it.’

Great-great grandmother Mary Hurst, 84, said: ‘That’s so disappointing. I feel for the players who missed the penalties.

‘Football is only a game, but it’s also cruel.’

Distraught fans at the Newcastle PaddyPark fans’ zone clapped the England players as they lost again on penalties.

But some looked bereft and one shouted: ‘I cannot do this any more.’

When penalties began, members of the crowd at BOXPARK Croydon huddled together in a line, with their hands on each other’s shoulders.

Cheers soon became downturned faces as Italy were declared the winners.

In Birmingham, many fans slumped to the floor while others lay on tables in despair at the Luna Springs big screen venue.

As elation turned to deflation in little more than a minute, many supporters headed straight for the exit to head home.

Teenager Jack Smith said: ‘I feel sorry for the lads who had to take a penalty after coming on cold.

‘I thought some of the bigger names would’ve stepped forward. It’s just a heart-breaking way to lose.’

It comes after the party atmosphere descended into chaos just minutes before kick-off as dozens knocked down a barrier and rushed up the stairs to the stands as ticket-holding families with distraught children looked on. 

Wembley admitted that a ‘small number’ of people had got inside the stadium, but claimed the security situation was in hand. 

Tens of thousands of fans without tickets have been rocking since Shaw netted the first goal – many arrived at the arena this morning and have been knocking back drinks ever since.

Gary Atkinson, 21, from Luton was soaking up the atmosphere from outside the ground, watching the action on a mobile phone. He told MailOnline: ‘This is so amazing. I have to pinch myself to believe it. If I wasn’t at the stadium, I would have thought I was just dreaming.

‘My three friends and I don’t have any tickets, but we thought we wanted to be here at Wembley just in case England made history.

‘It looks like we could win something for the first time in our lives. It looks like we are going to go all the way.’

Aaron Vernon,25, a McDonalds manager from Leighton Buzzard added: ‘It was a Man United player, and I support Man United, so that’s brilliant.

‘But I’m just pleased for my country. Hope we go all the way now.’

His girlfriend Sophie Flynn, 18, also from Leighton Buzzard said: ‘If we win, this will be good for the country. After all you’ve been through with a pandemic, this is just what we need. It’s coming home.’

She added: ‘The game is only just started. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Let’s hope it’s coming home though.  

An estimated 35 million are watching the match on TV, while more than £3 billion is being lavished on bets, drinks and food.

The force said it will be deploying ‘a great many officers and specialist units to prevent crime and disorder and respond to any incidents right across London’.

It comes as expectations reach fever pitch, one fan in central London said even a loss is ‘something to drink to’ in its historic match against Italy in the Euro final.

Simon Brown, 36, from London, told PA that he believes England ‘has done well to get to the finals’.

He said: ‘I think after coronavirus everyone just wants a reason to be happy and we all got behind it. Even if we don’t get through – we’ve done well to get to the finals. I’ll drink to that.

‘I think England will win. You’ve got to get behind the team – you’ve got to. We’ve got the home advantage and the crowd will be behind them. It’s now or never.’

Mr Brown also said that while it was difficult to find a place to watch the game, he and his friend have managed to book a bar in Chiswick.

He added: ‘It would be a shame if they lose because the atmosphere is so good and everyone’s so happy and that would definitely dent it. But we’ll see.’

Gagz Cheema, 35, from London, thinks that ‘realistically, England won’t win’.

She said: ‘To be fair to get this far is such an achievement, so it’s worth celebrating anyways.

‘If they do win, we’ll celebrate with tequila shots.’

Fans arriving at BOXPARK Croydon for the match were in high spirits.

Friends Danny Valance, 33, and Jonathon Eond, 28, both from London, said: ‘We are anxious, optimistic. It will kick off if we win or lose.’

Mr Valance added: ‘Trust in Southgate.’

John Heffernan, 55, from Birmingham, who is with his daughter Ellie, 18, said: ‘We are quietly confident. It’s coming home.’

The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.

By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research.

Ahead of the match, The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent the team best wishes, while thousands of England supporters urge the side to ‘bring it home’ – with some fans partying last night while others admitted they didn’t sleep because they were so excited.

In a video message on the official England football Twitter account, Southgate – who has been praised for his leadership of the team – said the fans’ support has given them a ‘huge lift’.

He said: ‘We hope that you’ve enjoyed watching us play. I’m very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff I’ve got with me, that we’ve been able to get to our first final for 55 years. But of course we know now we’ve got to deliver for you, so we’ll be doing everything we can.

He said: ‘We hope that you’ve enjoyed watching us play. I’m very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff I’ve got with me, that we’ve been able to get to our first final for 55 years. But of course we know now we’ve got to deliver for you, so we’ll be doing everything we can.’

The Duke of Cambridge praised manager Southgate, captain Harry Kane and ‘every member of the England team on and off the pitch’ in a video message on his official Twitter account, as he said: ‘I can’t really believe this is happening’ and wished the squad ‘the very best of luck’. 

William, the President of the FA, said: ‘Gareth, Harry and to every member of the England team on and off the pitch, just want to wish you the very best of luck tonight. What a team performance it’s been, everyone in the squad has played their part. All the backroom team as well have been truly essentially.   

‘I can’t really believe this is happening. So exciting and I just wish you the very best of luck. You bring out the very best of England and we are all behind you. The whole country is behind you. So, bring it home.’ 

England captain Harry Kane said his team hopes to do the nation proud in their bid for Euro 2020 glory. He told reporters at a press conference last night: ‘We want to go and bring the trophy home’ – adding: ‘We know how much it means to the English fans all over the country so we’re proud to be representing them and hopefully we can do them proud again.’

The Queen paid tribute to the ‘spirit, commitment and pride’ of the squad in a good luck message ahead of tonight’s final, while her grandson the Duke of Cambridge said it is ‘so exciting’ to get to this point.   

The Prime Minister told Southgate and the players they had ‘already made history’ by reaching the final, writing: ‘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.’       

A number of schools have already said they will allow pupils to start later on Monday if they wish to and some employers are considering letting staff enjoy a celebratory – or consolatory – lie-in after what could be a very late night. 

The final is due to kick off at 8pm and will finish by 10pm if it ends in normal time, but could end closer to 11pm if there is extra time or a penalty shootout. 

The official England Twitter account posted this morning: ‘A matchday like no other’ – sparking a flurry of excited and anxious messages. One expectant fan wrote: ‘Massive day ahead, first final for @England in my lifetime. Wherever you’re watching it, whatever your plans are, enjoy! Proud of the squad and what they’ve done so far, but they can lift that trophy!’

Another said: ‘Today is the day! The sun’s out, enjoy it, embrace it, soak up the atmosphere!! The excitement, the nerves, the butterflies in the stomach. Go mad!! Who knows when or if this day will come again! #ItsComingHome’.

One tweeted: ‘Been up since 5am cos of today. Couldn’t sleep at all! C’mon @England #ItsComingHome #ENG’ – with another writing on Twitter: ‘Morning everyone, anybody got any sleep last night or feeling nervous ahead of #ITAENG #ItsComingHome Come on #ENG @England’.  

The atmosphere near the official fan zone in Trafalgar Square is lively ahead of the Euro 2020 final, with pubs packed and large crowds holding England flags and wearing shirts with Three Lions on the chest.

Fans without tickets for the fan zone are also gathered in the area, and some can be heard chanting and singing the national anthem. 

Another, named Paul, 42, an electrician from Camden, north London, said: ‘History can be made tonight, everyone has to make the most of it because we may never see it again. It’s like Christmas, if Christmas came around every 55 years, live in the moment and celebrate like mad if we win.’

One supporter said the country ‘needed’ an international tournament win. Paul Gunder, 44, from Basingstoke, said: ‘I’ve heard all the usual stories from my dad and grandad about England winning a major tournament in 1966.

‘Obviously as years go by you begin to think it’s never happening, but suddenly here we are, in a final.

‘I know some Italians and work with them, but today is our day, we’ve needed this as a country, the last year or so has been rough. I think we’ll win it by a goal.’

Friends Ellie Bass and Aimee McIntosh had gathered in the West End to savour the big game atmosphere.

Ellie , 21, from Portsmouth, said: ‘Im hoping for an England win. My mum has predicted 3-2 to England. She’s got a bit of a sixth sense and has been right about these things before and so I hope she is about this too.

‘I think it’s going to be a great game but my nerves are going to be shredded.’

Aimee, 25, from Streatham, South London, said: ‘I’m feeling very nervous but quietly confident, I think this has to be our time. England have exceeded all our expectations but they have to go one stage further and bring it home.

‘We’re going to watch it in a pub in Paddington but wanted to take in the atmosphere in the West End, it’s electric. We want to come back here afterwards – hopefully to celebrate.’

Matt Green, 21, travelled into London from his home in Hull especially to soak up the atmosphere as fans head to Wembley. He said: ‘It’s been brilliant, every where you look it’s England. People have got the St George’s flag and are having a ball – let’s hope it lasts.

‘I think England have got better the more they’ve gone through the tournament and think we’ll beat Italy 2-0. But they’re a good team and it’s going to be very difficult. To see England in the final is incredible- they just have to go and win it now!’

Drinking at the Leicester Arms in Soho, Rob Powell, 48, travelled from his home in Kenilworth, Warwickshire to watch the big game. He said: ‘There isn’t any where else I’d rather watch it, London is the centre of the footballing world today.

‘Everywhere you look, people have a football shirt on or are draped in the flag and the pubs are heaving. 

‘I don’t want to tempt fate by predicting a score but they’ll have to be at their best to beat Italy. But they’ve showed a lot of resilience so far and there’s no reason why they can’t win our first bit of silverware since ’66.’

Meanwhile, Peter Faiers, 47, was going to watch Surrey vs Somerset at the Oval before catching the big football match tonight. He said: ‘I’m going to watch the cricket with a few friends and then we’re going to throw all our support behind the football team.

‘I think we’re good enough to win it but Italy are a strong side and aren’t going to make it easy for us. But we finally have a chance to exorcise some of the heartache of the past – this team has done us proud.’

It wasn’t just England fans feeling confident, however. Sporting an Italian shirt, Daniel Ferrara, 29, originally from Salerno, southern Italy, said: ‘I think it’s going to be 2-1 to us. We are on a good unbeaten run and I’m confident it’s going to continue.

‘England will be a tough opponent, they have home advantage which will spur them on but Italy know how to win. I’ve had a bit of banter with the England fans but it’s all been very good natured.’

Across England, fans have been savouring the run-up to a game that could see the country crowned champions of Europe. Houses have been bedecked with flags amid a surge in demand for England-themed paraphernalia and the Shard in London was lit up in the team colours.

Residents on Wales Street, in Oldham, Greater Manchester have even patriotically renamed their road in honour of the Three Lions – England Street, with a new red-and-white sign erected above the original. 

A good luck message from David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds – who are behind the anthemic Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) – has been projected onto the white cliffs of Dover ahead of the match. 

A couple paid tribute to Southgate, Kane and Raheem Sterling ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final with a huge mural on the side of their house.

Kate and Paul William asked street artists Nathan Parker – aka N4T4 – to create the piece to help them celebrate England’s progress. It has turned the wall, at their home in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, into a hotspot for fans who have been visiting ‘in droves’ to see the mural.

Kate said: ‘He woke up after the semi-finals and said ‘I have had a dream’ and the dream was we have got to decorate that wall. He said he wanted something amazing, and said ‘if they build it they will come’ and said he wanted something historic and about the moment.’

‘The community went going crazy for it – coming in their droves, pipping horns, photos galore, music playing, its brought the community together. They’re seeing what art can do too, that’s what’s happened, ultimately, and football has brought everyone together.

‘The husband’s dream was a pretty good one to have, I’ll let him have that one.’

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham insists England’s ‘band of brothers’ remain calm ahead of the final.

‘The mood in the camp is very calm. They are aware of what a fantastic opportunity this is, they are aware of the excitement throughout the country, but the mood in the camp is calm and they are looking forward to it,’ Bullingham told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One.

‘I think one of the things that Gareth (Southgate) has managed to do, along with the support team, is build a really strong environment, there’s a fantastic ‘band of brothers’ feeling and togetherness, but there is also a really strong resilience there and they are really supportive of each other.

‘He (Southgate) is genuinely calm, he’s one of the calmest people in the country. He is so well prepared and he has a good support team around him. He is in a good place.’ 

Former England right-back Gary Neville, who along with Southgate experienced semi-final heartbreak as a player at Euro 96, stressed that today was ‘not a day to be nervous’.

Discussing how the players would be feeling on Sunday morning compared to his own experiences with the national team, Neville told Sky Sports News: ‘If you think about 1996 and Gareth’s abuse he received after missing that penalty, (David) Beckham in ’98 and then my brother (Phil Neville) in 2000, it was a very pressurised situation with England because you weren’t performing at a level and there was a different way in which they approached it from a media point as well.

‘These lads haven’t got that cynicism, they haven’t got that pain and dismay embedded within themselves, so I suspect that now they must be feeling on top of the world this morning, excited.’